Smoked Haddock And Leek Pasties Food

SMOKED HADDOCK TARTS

Steps:

• To make the pastry, pulse the flour, lard and butter in a food processor until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over 1½ tbsp cold water and pulse again until the pastry just comes together. Divide into 6 pieces, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll each ball of pastry into a 12cm disc on a lightly floured surface and use to line 6 x 8cm tartlet tins. Line the tarts with baking parchment and baking beans, and chill in the fridge for 20 mins. Bake on a tray in the oven for 15 mins, then remove the baking beans and bake for a further 5 mins until golden. Brush with the egg yolk and return to the oven for 2 mins.
• Meanwhile, to make the filling, heat the butter in a small saucepan, add the leek and cook for 5 mins until beginning to soften. Add the garam masala, turmeric and seasoning, and cook for a further 5 mins. Turn down the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and lightly whisk together the cream, egg and yolks, and some seasoning.
• Divide the leek mixture between the tart cases, arrange the smoked haddock pieces on top and fill with the cream mixture to just below the pastry rim. Bake for 15-20 mins. Allow the tarts to cool a little in their tins, then serve with a handful of mixed salad leaves, if you like.

FILO-CRUSTED SMOKED HADDOCK, CHEESE & LEEK PIE

Steps:

• Bring the milk, bay and peppercorns to a simmer in a large shallow pan. Drop in the haddock, turn off the heat, cover with a lid or foil and leave to cool for 30 mins - the haddock will be just cooked. Carefully remove the haddock and set aside on a plate, then strain the milk through a sieve into a jug. To prepare the haddock, remove the flesh from the skin, making sure all bones and spices have been discarded - the fish should break into natural bite-sized flakes. Set aside until needed.
• Heat the oil and a small knob of butter in a pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 15 mins. Add the leeks and continue cooking for 2 mins. Drain in a colander and leave to cool.
• In the same pan, melt the 75g butter, then stir in the flour to form a paste. Cook for 3-4 mins without colouring, then slowly ladle in the warm milk, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until you have a glossy sauce. Stir in the mustard poweder, lemon juice and some seasoning, then pass through a fine sieve.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. To assemble the pie, place the leeks in the bottom of a 1.6-litre pie dish (about 22cm) and top with a third of the sauce. Follow with the flaked smoked haddock and another third of the sauce. Finally, scatter over the cheese and top with the remaining sauce, making sure the filling is completely covered.
• For the filo crust, melt the butter in a small pan, then add the garlic. Heat gently for 5 mins to allow the garlic to infuse. Lay one sheet of filo on a chopping board and brush all over with the garlic butter, then sprinkle with some chives and cracked black pepper. Place another sheet of pastry on top at a slight angle and repeat. Continue in this way until you have used up all the pastry and almost all the garlic butter. You should have created a jagged-edged pastry circle. Lay this on top of the pie dish, then use a sharp knife to trim the edges, but still leave an overhang. Brush with a final layer of butter, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and bake for 40 mins or until the pastry is golden and crisp. Serve with the Charred Baby Gem, watercress & bacon salad (see recipe, Goes well with).

SMOKED HADDOCK & LEEK CHOWDER

Steps:

• Lay the haddock in a deep frying pan and pour over the milk. Cover and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and leave undisturbed for about 5 mins, until the haddock is just cooked. Lift the haddock from the milk, remove the skin and bones and fl ake onto a plate. Reserve the milk for later.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan (preferably non-stick) and gently fry the bacon until starting to brown. Add the celery, leeks, bay leaves and potatoes, and cook for a couple of mins. Pour in the stock and reserved milk. Bring to the simmer and cook for 10 mins.
• Add the flaked haddock, sweetcorn and cream. Season with pepper (it shouldn't need salt) and stir in the parsley. Heat through gently, then serve.