Traditional Fish Pie Recipe

Ingredients :

Serves 4

• 450g / 1lb cod or coley fillets, skinned

• 450ml / ¾ pint milk

• 1 small onion, peeled and quartered

• salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 900g / 2lb potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

• 100g / 3½oz butter

• 125g / 4oz large prawns

• 2 large eggs, hard-boiled and quartered

• 198g can of sweet corn, drained

• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

• 3 tbsp plain flour

• 50g / 2oz Cheddar cheese, grated

Method :

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6, about 15 minutes before cooking. Place the fish in a shallow frying pan, pour over 300ml / ½ pint of the milk and add the onion. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the fish is cooked. Remove the fish with a slotted spoon and place in a 1.4 liter / 2½ pint baking dish. Strain the cooking liquid and reserve.

2. Boil the potatoes until soft, then mash with 40g / 1½oz of the butter and 2-3 tablespoons of the remaining milk. Reserve.

3. Arrange the prawns and sliced eggs on top of the fish, then scatter over the sweet corn and sprinkle with the parsley.

4. Melt the remaining butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and cook gently for 1 minute, stirring. Whisk in the reserved cooking liquid and remaining milk. Cook for 2 minutes, or until thickened, then pour over the fish mixture and cool slightly.

5. Spread the mashed potato over the top of the pie and sprinkle over the grated cheese. Bake in the preheated over for 30 minutes until golden. Serve immediately.