Fish Pie - K Style

When I create recipes for K I usually aim to make all in one meals because that way at least I know it is a balanced meal.  I remember once talking to him on the phone and asking - so what did you have for tea tonight . . . pasta came the response . . . oh right and what did you have with the pasta? Some rice!
The basics of food groups is something that passed both the men in my life by!

Thankfully K loves fish but after seeing just how nasty and expensive the ready meal version of a simple fish pie is I was determind to work him out a recipe - I have to say this is his favourite meal and it gets made on a regular basis - I think we knew my cooking lessons were starting to have an effect when he turned round in a supermarket and announced . . . I Need Creme Fraiche!! and then marched off to the chiller cabinets to get it leaving his brother with a shocked expression

This pie is easy with a capital E and you can swap out the fish as you desire - you do need to add in one smoked variety though as it adds to the finished flavour and stops it becoming bland

Tikka (who is mentioned in this recipe) is K's adopted cat who thinks she is a dog and who LOVES to help cook - this is also her favourite recipe!

She is also really good at crosswords and jigsaws - although she hides the pieces

When she wants something she does the best impression of Puss In Boots from Shrek you have ever seen!

Makes Enough for 3/4 portions – can freeze!

Ingredients

2 Large baking potatoes

3 pieces of frozen smoked fish or 2 pieces of mixed fish and 1 piece of frozen

300ml Pot Crème Fraiche

Frozen peas

Dried Parsley

To season

Pepper

Garlic

Method

·      Take the fish out of the freezer and place in a bowl in the fridge to defrost over night/   during the day

·      Peel potatoes and cut them into small chunks with a sharp knife

·      Put potatoes in a pan of water and boil until cooked

·      Drain potatoes and mash them well with a sprinkle of pepper and a small nob of marge

·      Put potatoes to one side to cool

·      Put the oven on to Gas Mark 6

·      Take out the large mixing bowl

·      Cut the defrosted fish into bite sized chunks with a sharp knife (watching out for an interested Tikka!)

·      Put the fish into the mixing bowl

·      Add in the crème fraiche taking care to scrape out the pot to get it all

·      Add in a teaspoon of dried parsley and a sprinkle of pepper and garlic granules

·      Add in a cup of frozen peas

·      Pour the mixture into a casserole dish

·      Spoon the mashed potato over the top of the fish mixture and smooth over to cover it

·      Place in the oven for 35 minutes

·      Serve with mixed vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower or with crusty bread

Alternative versions

You can make with other ingredients like for example:

·      Use a mixture of fish instead of just one type

·      Add in a handful of frozen prawns (defrost them with the fish)

·      For more sauce take the pot the crème fraiche came in and half fill with milk and add to the sauce when mixing with the fish

·      Try adding grated cheese to the mashed potato