This fish pie can be made using any fish you have to hand, but the smoked fish to me is what makes it perfect
Today’s inspirational recipe from Lavender and Lime ♥ Fish Pie ♥ #LavenderAndLime Share on X
South Africa recently upgraded their visa requirements to be more in line with other countries around the world. One of these requirements is that all minor children who travel have to have a copy of their unabridged birth certificate with them. If they are travelling with only one parent, they also have to have a copy of the other parent’s passport and a letter of permission to travel. This is all in aid of curbing child trafficking. I am sure that it will not stop it. People who reside in China and India are up in arms about this requirement, but according to reports from Lufthansa, their customers are not that concerned about it. And that is because it is common in Europe to have these documents to hand. And had the British laws been the same, maybe so many teenage children would not be able to leave the country to fight in wars! Judgement aside, I was listening in at our UK Visa Interview to the lady in the cubicle next to us. The British High Commission were asking her for the same papers as she would be asked to provide were she coming to South Africa from another country. So why are our requirements being singled out. What is so fishy about wanting to make sure a child is entering and leaving South Africa with the knowledge of both parents? Something that should be fishy is fish pie. It should be all about the fish and the sauce that binds it together. Serve as a meal with a side order of peas and a glass of wine.
Fish Pie
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
- 500 mls fish stock
- 400 g baby spinach
- 2 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 300 g salmon or any pink fish
- 500 g hake, or any firm white fish
- 150 g haddock
- 450 g lightly smoked fish, we used angel fish
- 65 g butter, divided
- 40 g flour
- Paprika for sprinkling
Method
- Cut the potatoes into quarters and steam until soft
- Mash using a ricer and add 25g of the butter
- Place onto a low temperature and mix the butter in using a spatula
- Season to taste and set aside to cool
- Place the fish stock into a saucepan
- Place over a medium temperature and bring to a simmer
- Blanch the spinach and remove
- Set aside in a colander to drain
- Simmer the carrots until nearly soft and then remove and set aside
- Lightly poach the fish, in batches
- Remove using a slotted spoon and set aside to cool before flaking
- Pour the poaching liquid into a measuring jug
- Top up to 500mls with boiling water
- Place the saucepan back onto the heat
- Add 40g of the butter and allow to melt
- Make a roux with the flour and cook out for one minute
- Add the stock slowly until you have a nice thick sauce
- Reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 5 minutes
- Preheat the oven to 180° Celsius
- Press the excess liquid out of the spinach
- Place it on the bottom of an oven proof dish
- Season to taste (do this for each layer)
- Add the carrots
- Top with the flaked fish - for a pretty effect, do each fish in its own layer
- Top with the mashed potatoes
- I piped mine on, but you don't need to
- Sprinkle the top with paprika
- Bake for 30 minutes and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving
Notes
Click on the links for conversions and notes.
What I blogged August 20:
- one year ago – Confessions Of A Hungry Woman
- two years ago – Spanakorizo With Butternut
- three years ago – Chicken Pot Pie
- four years ago – A trip down memory lane
- five years ago – Figs With Camembert
I enjoy learning about your country.
Love the fish pie recipe. Tandy, hugs from Florida.
Thanks Sarah, and hugs back 🙂
Oh my that is a beautiful fish pie! Love that layered look and those pretty flowers on the top.
Thanks Bobbi 🙂
Visa regulations have been a big part of my world in moving to Australia. I’m glad they’re making it harder to conduct child trafficking, but you are right, they will always find a way to conduct their horrifying trade. Your pie is beautiful, such delicious layers. 🙂
Hopefully our Visa regulations will not be relaxed under pressure from the Chinese!
That looks so yummy Tandy. I love the idea of giving each fish it’s own layer. It sounds like something the kids will enjoy helping me make. Have you ever tried it with canned fish? I know fresh is best but I wonder if canned will do in a push. xx
I have not tried this recipe with canned fish, but in a push I am sure it will work – let me know xx
Great looking fish pie Tandy.
Have a happy afternoon.
🙂 Mandy xo
Thanks Mandy xx
Looks so delicious, Tandy. How many servings approximately?
it fed six of us Sylvia 🙂
Thanks, Tandy. 🙂
my pleasure and thanks for the query!
Never made fish pie, never had one that wowed me, but this one looks like I would enjoy. For papers, better safe than sorry guess.
I hope you try this Evelyne 🙂
Before I saw your picture, I was wondering how your fish pie would present itself. Lovely! Looks fantastic. We live near Canada and all we need to take the girls across the border is birth certificates for now!
I am sure that the regulations between the US and Canada won’t change any time soon Laura 🙂
A very upmarket fish pie – Tandy – lovely, love the colours you have got happening here.
We are very lucky to get amazing fish here 🙂
I’ve never had fish pie before – it looks tasty!
Thanks Pam, and hope you get to try fish pie sometime soon 🙂
I usually use fresh fish but I must try smoked fish next time. It sounds like it would be absolutely sublime! 😀
It adds such a great dimension of flavour 🙂
Funnily enough, I’m making fish pie tonight, Tandy… the English version. But yours looks so good!
Hope you enjoyed yours as much as we enjoyed ours 🙂
Fish pie, yummm! I haven’t had one before. I’ll definitely try out this recipe.
http://doreensstylediary.com
Hope you enjoy it!
Love the look of this, lovely layers through the pie.
Thanks so much 🙂
I’ve enjoyed fish pie with potatoes and fish before – and your version with carrots and spinach sounds amazing! I am a huge fan of adding veggies to everything so I am loving this, Tandy!
Hope you try it Shashi 🙂
I love fish pie – one of my favourite dinner recipes! I like the idea of adding a layer of spinach! Definitely will try that next time I make it!
Let me know what you thought of the idea Jess 🙂
It looks amazing Tandy. I haven’t made one before and haven’t thought about combining all those different fish. And 28 steps? wow. I’ll find a quiet weekend day for this.
It is a long process, but so worth it 🙂