M & S Fishermans Pie issue

[GeorgeA12]

Bought a M & S Fishermans Pie tonight and was really looking forward to it. Got myself all set up, TV, drink and on the couch after a long week. To my utter astonishment there were only pieces of white fish in there. Checked the box and its true, they have only put cod in. So its basically cod, sauce and mash.

To my mind, Fisherman's Pie must contain at least smoked haddock, succulent prawns and chunks of cod all in a nice sauce. So, am i being unreasonable? Must a Fishermans Pie contain more than one type of fish or is this another case of food outlets trying to completely reduce the cost of ingredients and hope we dont notice? I feel conned!

I often make my own fish pie (very nice, if I say so myself) and yes, I always put boiled eggs in. (And usually 3 types of fish cod, haddock, salmon)

Homemade is much better, but I'm lazy these days!

This is happening across all supermarkets and brands. I love a good chicken pie but many these days have hardly any chicken in them and all of that is brown meat. My New Year’s resolution is for no more ultra processed food freshly made for me from then!

Fish pie is so easy I’d never bother buying a ready made one. I seriously can’t cook but even I can manage a fish pie. And you can buy a bag of mixed fish for pies from any fishmongers or supermarket. That way you can be sure you have enough fish and seafood.

It's not difficult, but it's a faff, I just can't be bothered so I buy it.

I made a fish pie the other day with cod and haddock( not smoked ), and prawns. I put boiled egg on top of the sauce because I think its to stop the mash skining into the sauce. Topped with cheese it was nice.
I think M and S take the mick with thier prices all thier desserts are £5 or above , and I never look in thier frozen section as you have to be a millionaire.

Yes you should have more than one fish in a fish or fisherman's pie so even though they put the ingredients, which I never read as you would think it was traditional.
I hope you enjoyed it though, if only because of the price.

There's no set definition of a 'fisherman's pie' but description on the front of the box and the picture make it clear that it only contains cod so you expecting a mix of fish and seafood is about as reasonable as expecting toad in the hole to contain real toad.

I’d prefer that to the gastro one because of the lack of prawns. Prawns are just about the only standard food I’m I dislike. It’s the rubbery witchetty grub thing.
Fish pie in my house has white fish, smoked fish and chopped eggs.

I’d say “fisherman’s pie” suggests the pie involves fish, not a selection of fish. Always read the label.

Gosh some people are sanctimonious aren’t they! I’m sure Op reads the labels on stuff she isn’t sure about.

The cheapo 99p frozen Fisherman's Pie used to be a favourite student food- it was only ever fish in sauce.
I think Fish Pie is the one with different types of fish.

I used to buy a fisherman’s pie from M&S and it contained salmon, prawns and white fish. Looks like they changed it. How disappointing. It was lovely.

Oh it’s the gastro one I would buy.

You are right...even salmon I'd expect
Rip off.

What if the were just skinny prawns rather than succulent ones?!

I think they are skating on the edge of acceptable. Most people would expect at least one other fish or shellfish but i think they can just about get away with calling it fisherman's pie (on a day when there was a poor catch......,) Bastards.

Prawns cook too fast to put in fish pie, and scallops, so they go rubbery. I like cod, smoked haddock but not really salmon. The texture is not right for pie with other fish. Anyway you were swizzled OP.

Have never found a decent ready made, all incredibly bland. One of the dishes it’s really worth making yourself.

Completely agree. In fact this thread has made me really fancy one.

This one & their Ocean Pie are their cheap frozen pies, often bought by little old ladies like my mum. Their proper fish pie is sold fresh with prawns, smoked haddock and cod in 1 or 2 person portions. There is also a frozen Fish Pie and cheaper fresh versions of different fish in sauce. You bought the cheap frozen version which has had this name for many, many years.

I did something stupid once and needed a giant fish pie in a hurry. Iceland - 3 for £10. It was very good. Not luxurious, but decent.

It's a bit of a problem with a woolly name like 'Fisherman's Pie' as different Fishermen may like different pies.

For example some Fishermen may prefer a beef pie, or a chicken pie or even a pork pie over a fish pie.

It's a bit like 'Catch of the Day', who knows what you're going to be served - recently a Fisherman hauled in an unexploded WW2 bomb and you certainly would have reason to complain if that was plonked on your dinner plate.

Yes! I had one of these the other night…horrified it was mostly mash.

Yep disappointed with M&S too. Really fancied a fish pie, only to find loads of mash and sauce and a couple of bits of fish. So no more for me. It's a bit of a faff but will make my own in future. Cheaper too if you make more than one and freeze for later.

They do a haddock version as well, just haddock, but in the refrigerator section they have a proper fish pie with mixed fish. I do agree it’s odd but there’s no single definition of fisherman pie.

According to wikipedia, a Fisherman's Pie can also be called a fish pie and contain fresh and smoked fish or seafood. Hard boiled eggs are also a common ingredient.

There was also a royal fish pie made for the king and contained eels and carp!