Spiced Fish Mussel Pie Food

PRAWN & MUSSEL PIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Lay the pastry (a piece about 18cm x 23cm) on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 4 rectangles (see Gary's tip, below). Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 mins until golden and puffy.
• Meanwhile, pour the wine and 450ml/16fl oz water (see Gary's tip below) into a large, deep pan and bring to a boil. Tip in the cleaned mussels and cover with a lid. After a couple of mins, remove the lid and stir the mussels until they open. Any refusing to open should be discarded. Drain the mussels in a colander, saving the juices. Remove the mussels from the shells, keeping some shells if you like, to use when serving the soup.
• Warm the olive oil in the pan, then add the sliced onion, celery, star anise, orange zest, bay leaves, saffron and lemon juice. Cook over a moderate heat without colouring the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until completely tender, 12-15 mins.
• Strain the mussel cooking liquor through a fine sieve over the vegetables, and bring to a simmer. Add the tomatoes, season with a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed chillies and simmer for a few mins to soften the tomatoes. Spoon the mussels and prawns into the soup, stir in your preferred quantity of butter and heat to just below simmering point - you don't want to overcook the fish. Sprinkle in some chopped parsley to finish, and serve in bowls with a pastry lid perched on top of each.

MUSSELS IN SPICED BROTH

Steps:

• Crush the coriander stems in a mortar using a pestle, then put into a large pan with the coconut milk, lemongrass and ginger. Bring to the boil and simmer for 4 mins. Add the lime leaves and chillies, then stir in the coconut cream.
• Add the mussels and fish sauce, then cover with an ill-fitting lid or baking tray so that the mussels can steam, but the broth won't boil over and make a mess of your stove. Bring the liquid back to the boil, then simmer for a few mins, shaking the pot every so often so the mussels move around and open up - this should take about 3-5 mins.
• When all the mussels are open, add the lime juice but don't boil again. Taste, and if you like it, good - otherwise add more chilli for heat, more lime for sourness and more fish sauce if you think it needs salt. Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with the coriander leaves to serve.

FASTEST-EVER FISH PIE

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high. Heat the oil in a large pan, then gently fry the onion for 5 mins until soft. Add the tomatoes and stock, bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 mins. Season.
• Flake the smoked mackerel into the pan, stir, then tip the mixture into a shallow dish and sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and parmesan. Grill for 5 mins or until bubbling and golden.

CREAMY SPICED MUSSELS

Steps:

• Scrub the mussels in a large bowl of cold water and discard any that are open. Put in a large pan with the wine. Bring to the boil, cover and shake the pan over a high heat until the mussels are open, about 3-4 mins.
• Tip the mussels into a colander set over a large bowl to catch the juices. Discard any that have not opened. Strain the cooking liquid through a sieve into a jug. Keep the mussels warm.
• Fry the shallots in the butter in the large pan until they are softened, but not browned. Stir in the flour and curry paste, and cook for 1 min. Add the cooking liquid (discarding the last little bit, which may be gritty) and season with pepper. Don't add salt, as the mussel juices will be salty enough.
• Stir the crème fraîche into the sauce, warming it through over a low heat until thickened and glossy. Divide the mussels between four bowls and pour over the sauce. Scatter with parsley and serve with chips or bread to mop up the juices.