No Fuss Fish Pie Food

NO-FUSS FISH PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the milk in a saucepan with the bay leaf, garlic and onion. Add the fish and poach on a medium heat for 15 mins. The milk should be just covering the fish, if not, add a little more.
• Cut the potatoes and parsnips into equal-sized pieces and put in a saucepan. Cover with cold water and a lid, bring to the boil, then simmer on a medium heat for 10 mins, or until the potatoes and parsnips are soft (not falling apart).
• Meanwhile, gently put the eggs in a small pan of water and bring to the boil. Cook for 7 mins, then transfer to a bowl of cold water and leave to cool. Once cool, peel and chop them.
• When the fish is cooked (it should be firm to the touch and flake easily), remove from the milk, along with the onion, using a slotted spoon. Strain the milk into a jug and keep it for the mash.
• Flake the fish into bite-sized chunks (checking for bones) and place in the bottom of a casserole dish, then add the onion, sweetcorn and peas.
• Add the herbs, lemon zest, prawns (if using), hard-boiled eggs and the crème fraîche. Season and mix well.
• Drain the parsnips and potatoes in a colander, and return to the saucepan. Add the nutmeg, white pepper, mustard and a knob of butter and mash well.
• Taste to check the seasoning. Cover the fish filling with the mashed potato and, using a fork, create a wavy pattern, if you like. Sprinkle over the grated cheese.
• Place in the oven for 20 mins or until the cheese is melted and golden brown, remove from the oven using oven gloves and serve with steamed crunchy carrots and broccoli.

EASY FISH PIE

Steps:

• Put your fish in a large, wide pan with a lid together with celery, carrot, onion (cut in half and each half studded with 2 cloves), bay leaves and peppercorns. Pour over the milk and place the pan on a gentle heat and bring it to a gentle boil (feel free to cover the pan to speed up the process but keep an eye on it). Uncover the pan and let the fish simmer gently in milk for approx. 5 min (longer if you are using frozen fillets). Take the fish off the heat and let it stand in the hot milk for 5-10 minutes to finish cooking.
• As your fish is cooking prepare the potatoes by peeling them, cutting into chunks and boiling them in a pan of salted water until tender and ready to be mashed 15-20 min.
• Take your poached fish out of the hot milk with slotted spoon and onto a dish you'll be using for a pie. Flake it gently into small pieces and set aside. Strain the milk you used to cook your fish in onto a jug discarding all the veg and aromatics.
• In the same pan you poached fish in melt 50g unsalted butter, add the flour and let it cook in butter for a few seconds until it looks like a paste. Slowly add strained milk mixing gently with a whisk after each addition until you use up all the milk and the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper and few gratings of fresh nutmeg (to taste). Pour over the flaked fish. *Depending on the dish you are using you might have some sauce leftover which can be added to your mashed potato topping for extra creaminess.*
• Add frozen peas or sweetcorn or mixture of both to the fish and the sauce and mix well. Sprinkle some fresh parsley or dill and place your boiled egg halves on top (if adding).
• Drain potatoes and mash with 50g unsalted butter and a good splash of milk or some leftover white sauce (if any) for extra creaminess adjusting seasoning if needed. Top the pie with the mash making sure you spread it evenly, sealing neatly around the edges to prevent the filling bubbling over during baking. Sprinkle with some grated cheddar and bake in preheated oven at 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 for approx 30 minutes (until golden and bubbly). Enjoy with some extra peas or other veg of your choice on the side!

NO FUSS FRUIT PIE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork or whisk.
• Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a baking sheet. Spread the pie filling on the pastry to within 1 inch of the edge. Brush the edges with the egg mixture. Unfold the remaining pastry sheet and place over the filling. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Brush with the egg mixture. Cut several slits in the top of the pastry.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Cool the pastry on the baking sheet on a wire rack for 15 minutes.