Making fish pie more tasty?

[SGertie]

I made fish pie for the dc and a separate one for dh and me. The dc have just eaten and enjoyed it but I had a taste and found it a bit bland.
I poached salmon and haddock in milk and bay leaf, used the milk to make cheese sauce. Added boiled egg. Topped with mashed potato and sweet potato with grated cheese topping
Any ideas how I can improve it before cooking ours later?

[Ragwort]

Sorry, can't really help - I find fish pie is always incredibly bland ......... it's one of my DH's favourites though. Loads of grated cheese on top plus a large glass of wine might help .

[escorchio]

some capers, or anchovies maybe?

[saythatagain]

Deffo capers. Do you use smoked haddock and also a string cheese?

[saythatagain]

That should read strong cheese!!!!

[scurryfunge]

Mature cheddar will add more of a flavour. Lots of pepper and use smoked haddock.

[Ragwort]

saythatagain - thought you meant cheese strings for a horrible moment !

[frenchfancy]

Bit of smoked haddock and some mustard.

[EdgarAirbombPoe]

starting from scratch.. use smoked fish!

at this point - seasoning. salt & pepper.

[saythatagain]

Oh the shame! No, deffo strong cheese!!!

[SGertie]

I didn't have any smoked fish in, that's where I went wrong! Capers may do the trick (and a large glass of wine or 2, good idea Ragwort) I will also add extra cheese - of the non cheese string variety

[SGertie]

Not starting from scratch as all made ready to assemble. Just looked for capers but we don't have any. Would stirring mustard powder in help? Sun dried tomatoes?

[cestlavie]

Always include a generous dollop of Dijon mustard and lemon juice in mine. Definitely agree with the smoked haddock though. Maybe also any frozen prawns if you've got some to add some texture.

[SGertie]

Thanks all. Have stirred in some mustard and have lemon edges to serve so fingers crossed.

[jonicomelately]

You need to dissolve a fish stock cube into the sauce (I use creme frais). It's lovely.

[seeker]

A mix of smoked and white fish and some anchovies. And LOADS of parsley.

I don't use cheese though!

[LadyInPink]

I fry up some leeks which give a gorgeous flavour and mix with the fish and white sauce but if you have a tin of lobstor bisque pop that in as that gives a lovely flavour.

[anoknockingmyhousedown]

You need a smoked fish, plain fish and it is a bit dull.

herbs, leeks, lemon, dijon (as someone else said).

But smoked fish is absolutely a must I am afraid....

[BollocksToThis]

I don't use cheese. Try parsley, chopped hard boiled eggs and wedges of tomato. And plenty seasoning. :)

[PrettyCandles]

Before you make the cheese sauce finely chop a leek and fry/sweat it in olive oil/butter, with garlic. Add it to the cheese sauce with 6 peppercorns/plenty of freshly-ground black pepper, a teaspoon of tarragon (much more if fresh) and a tablespoonful of drained capers.

Then continue as normal.

[PrettyCandles]

Whoops! Tablespoonful of capers is for a family-size fish pie - for a two-person pie only use a teaspoonful.

[bacon]

50/50 mix of cheddar and parmasan cheese defo improves the depth of flavour. Zest of half a lemon and a good squeeze too.

Smoked fish and any mix of fish - king prawns always great addition.

I use the Jamie Oliver receipe - he just uses cream and and fish cooks in the cream while in the oven so no messing.

[BlueEyeshadow]

Smoked fish, white fish, salmon, king prawns and hard boiled eggs. Cheese on top. Served with a fruity white wine and ketchup. Don't know why, but there has to be ketchup.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Have you got any smoked bacon? You could always add that to give the smokey taste. Dice it and fry it gently before you add it.

I also add lemon juice and use boiled eggs.

[BoffinMum]

Tarragon is good.

[SharonGless]

I use the Jamie Oliver recipe too.
I do a mix of salmon, white fish and smoked fish, creme fraiche, squeeze of lemon, half a chilli, grated mature cheddar.top with mashed potato and a bit more cheese.

No messing with white sauce, no poaching of fish and tasty as you like