Fish Pot Pie With Leek A Creamy And Delicious Comfort Food

CREAMY FISH & LEEK PIE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Prick each potato a few times with a knife (to prevent them from bursting) and bake on a baking tray for 1 hr-1 hr 30 mins or until soft when pressed. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh into a bowl and mash it with a fork or ricer. Save the skins for another day. While the potato is still hot, mix in the cream and milk to make a smooth mash, season and set aside.
• While the potatoes are baking, make the fish pie mix. Put a large frying pan on a medium heat. Melt the butter and cook the leeks slowly for 10 mins until they are sweet and tender, then season and add the nutmeg. Stir in the mustard, then pour in the wine and reduce until there is almost no wine left. Pour in the cream and simmer for about 10 mins until reduced by half. Remove from the heat, and add the chives along with the lemon juice and zest. Taste for seasoning.
• Stir the haddock, salmon and prawns into the creamed leeks and transfer to a medium baking dish, then top with the mashed potato, smooth over to cover the fish, and scatter over the cheeses. Bake for 25-30 mins until the cheese has turned golden brown.

SEAFOOD POTPIE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and fennel and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, bring the stock to a simmer in a large saucepan. Add the shrimp and scallops and cook for 2 minutes, just until firm. Remove the seafood to a large bowl with a slotted spoon, reserving the stock.
• When the flour is cooked in the onion and fennel mixture, slowly add the stock, the Pernod, salt, and pepper and simmer for 3 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream.
• Cut the lobster meat into medium-size cubes and add it to the onion and fennel mixture with the shrimp and scallops. Add the frozen peas, frozen onions, and parsley and pour the mixture into a 9 by 13 by 2 baking dish.
• For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the butter and pulse 10 times, until the butter is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough on a floured surface and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Roll the dough out to fit the baking dish with about 1/4-inch overlap. Use the egg wash to paint the outside rim of the dish. Place the dough on the filled baking dish and press it lightly to adhere to egg wash. Brush the dough with egg wash. Make 3 slashes in the top to allow the steam to escape. Place the dish on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

FISH PIE WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Make mashed potatoes. Put the potatoes in plenty of water and add a hefty pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Use this time to chop and prep things.
• While the potatoes are cooking, bring the 1 cup each of milk and heavy cream to the steaming point in a medium pot, and drop the fish in to poach. Let this cook gently for 10 minutes, then lift out the fish. When it's cool enough to handle, flake it. Reserve the milk-cream mixture. Flake out the smoked fish, too.
• By now your potatoes should be ready. Drain them. Set the pot back on the stove over low heat, then put the potatoes back in the pot to steam out a little. This removes excess moisture. Shake the pan a little to prevent the potatoes from sticking too much. Add the butter and mash them. Mash well, adding cream or milk as needed to make them nice and smooth. Add salt to taste, turn off the heat, and set this aside.
• In a large sauté pan, add the 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. When it's hot, add the leeks and cook, stirring often, until they're soft, but not browned.
• Add the flour to the pan with the leeks, mixing well. It will seize up, and that's OK. Keep it moving for a couple minutes to cook off the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the wine or beer, stirring constantly. It will make a paste in the pan. Now add the milk-cream mixture you cooked the fish in little by little, stirring to combine. You want a sauce that is like thick gravy. You might not need all the mixture.
• Add the poached fish, smoked fish and seafood, along with the mustard, horseradish and herbs. Stir and cook this for a couple minutes to warm through, then turn off the heat.
• To make the pie or pies, spoon the filling into your ramekins, baking dishes or any shallow, oven-proof pan. Top with the mashed potatoes, then sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top. Since everything is cooked, you need only brown the topping in a toaster oven set to 400°F or put the pie or pies under the broiler. Be sure to put them on a baking sheet because the cheese often spills over the sides.

FISH POT PIE WITH LEEK, A CREAMY AND DELICIOUS COMFORT FOOD

Steps:

• Place the smoked haddock (skin side down) along with the other fish in a pan, and pour enough of the 20 oz of milk just to cover them. Remove the fish, bring the milk to a boil, then put the fish back in, reduce the heat, and simmer over low heat for 4 minutes.
• Remove the fish from the milk and allow to cool, then remove the skin from the smoked haddock. Strain the milk into the jug with the milk from the original amount, and set aside.
• Put the potatoes in a pot and cover with water with 3/4 tsp Kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 13 minutes or until they are ready, then drain thoroughly. While the potatoes are cooking...
• In another pot over medium high heat, add one tablespoon of butter and leeks, and sauté for a few minutes until the leeks are a bit transparent, but not brown. Remove the leeks and set aside.
• Put the other tablespoon of butter into the pan, then add the flour. Cook for a few minutes without browning or the flour will taste raw. Begin adding a little of the measured milk into the pan a little at a time. Mix it well each time before adding more.
• Continue adding the milk until it's finished.
• When the sauce is ready, add about 1/2 tsp salt and some white pepper, then add the leeks.
• Flake the cooled fish into pieces.
• Next, add the fish to the sauce with the leeks and still well, but try not to break the pieces of fish any more. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust as needed.
• Spoon into ramekins and allow to cool while mashing the potatoes which should be ready.
• Mash the potatoes while still hot, adding salt, butter (I add about an ounce) and about 2 ounces of milk. If not soft and creamy, add more butter or milk, and salt if needed. Add a beaten egg after the potatoes have cooled a little and mix well.
• Either pipe the potatoes onto the fish pot pie in the ramekins or baking dish. I used a 1M tip.
• Or spoon the mashed potatoes on evenly and spread with a fork. I do prefer piping, but the flavor is the same.
• Use the fork to decorate the top. Place on a baking tray for easier handling.
• Bake the fish pot pie in preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the potato topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
• Serve and enjoy while hot! Be sure to warn diners that the ramekins are very hot, too.
• Children love these, too, so don't hesitate to make smaller ramekins for them.

CREAMY LEEK, POTATO, CHEDDAR & CHIVE FISH PIE

Steps:

• Tip the flour, salt, thyme and mustard powder into a food processor and pulse briefly. Add the butter and pulse again to a fine breadcrumb texture. Add half the egg and 1 tbsp cold water and pulse until it comes together into a dough (you can add up to 1-2 tbsp more water if it's dry). Tip the dough onto a work surface and knead briefly. Wrap and chill for 30 mins.
• To make the filling, cook the potato in a pan of boiling water for 8-10 mins. Drain and leave to steam-dry. Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat, and fry the leeks for 5 mins. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 mins, then add the milk, a little at a time, stirring between each addition to combine. Add the cream, cheese and mustard, and cook for 1-2 mins more until the cheese has melted. Stir in the chives and season. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 15 mins.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 8. Gently fold the salmon, potato, haddock and prawns into the creamy leek mixture, then spoon into a 27cm round pie dish. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Drape the pastry over the pie, then trim the excess. Crimp the edges, then shape the off-cuts to decorate the top, if you like. Brush with the remaining egg, then bake in the centre of the oven for 35-40 mins until golden. Serve with steamed greens.

TRADITIONAL BRITISH FISH PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and let cool.
• Combine milk, bay leaf, and nutmeg in a large pan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Add cod and poach until flaky, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer cod onto a plate; reserve poaching liquid. Use a fork to flake fish into bite-sized pieces.
• Mash potatoes in a large bowl. Mix in 3 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons poaching liquid until potatoes are fairly stiff and not too runny.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat and stir in leek. Cook and stir until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter over medium heat in a large, deep skillet until it just stops bubbling. Add flour and stir roux continuously for 1 minute. Slowly pour in remaining poaching liquid, stirring continuously, to make base of sauce. Add 1/2 the sharp Cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Fold in flaked cod, leek, and peas. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place fish mixture in an oven-proof dish; press boiled eggs gently into the filling across the surface. Cover with a thick layer of mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is starting to brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

BEST SEAFOOD POT PIE

Steps:

• Shrimp -- Prepare your shrimp, scallops and vegetables.
• Vegetable Base -- In a large pot, melt the butter on medium heat. Add the celery, onion, mushrooms, and carrots and cook until soft. Add the sherry to deglaze the pan, then the creole seasoning, salt and pepper, flour to make a light roux and then add the half and half and the chicken broth. Bring back to a medium heat to lighten thicken. Add the peas, shrimp, scallops, and fresh parsley and stir to combine. The last minute add the crab.
• Casserole -- Spray the casserole dish or individual baking dishes (soup bowls or small ramikens with Pam or brush with olive oil) and spoon the pot pie mixture inches Top with a little of the grated cheese.
• Topping -- Take the southern biscuits cut in half, top and bottom half (just thinner so they cook quicker) (Pillsbury or any name brand or you can easily make your own if you want.). Just top the individual dishes or you can top the whole casserole dish. The biscuits can be cut to fit the size of the casserole dish. Brush with some butter to make them crusty brown.
• Bake -- Heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake until the biscuits are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. About 20-30 minutes depending on your oven. Cook on the middle shelf.

COD POTPIES WITH DILL BISCUIT CRUSTS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450°F.
• Make sauce for filling:
• Wash leek in a bowl of water, then lift out and drain well. Cook leek, carrot, and celery in butter in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until tender, about 7 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in milk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Bring sauce to a boil, stirring, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes. (Sauce will be thick.) Remove pan from heat.
• Make crust:
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Blend in butter cubes with your fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in milk and dill with a fork until mixture just comes together.
• Gather dough into a ball, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 2 or 3 times. Roll out with a floured rolling pin into an 8-inch square (1/2 inch thick), then cut out 4 biscuits using cutter.
• Make filling and bake pies:
• Sprinkle cod with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer and stir in fish, then divide among ramekins. Top each ramekin with a biscuit, then brush biscuits with melted butter. Arrange ramekins in a shallow baking pan and bake until sauce is bubbling and biscuits are golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
• *Available at Bridge Kitchenware (800-274-3435).