Precooking fish for fish pie

[itati]

I always do this. I poach the fish in milk and parsley and then add more milk to make the sauce. The pie usually is in the oven for at least 20 minutes to crisp up the potato, could I save time and not precook the fish first?

[MonkeyMargot]

Itati - I think you need to poach the fish first. I do it in the microwave in a disk with milk, an onion, peppercorns etc. V.quick - 3-4mins I think.

[OverMyDeadBody]

You need to cook the fish first, if you don't you would have to cook it in the oven for a much longer time so it wouldn't save time anyway.

By the time you've cooked the potatoes and mashed them and made the white sauce you can be cooking the fish too.

[itati]

That is what I normally do. Just curious if I coud save a job!

[itati]

But then fish only takes 20-25 minutes in the oven anyway????

[lubyluby]

never cooked fish first alwasy put in bottom of dish cover with the sauce and potato, then put in oven for about 20 minutes on high. otherwise fish far too soggy and gross.

i noticed that marco pierre white did it his way on his programme and so did gordon ramsey.

[bundle]

i always cook the fish first to give the milk i use to make the sauce with some flavour

[OverMyDeadBody]

luby my fish is never soggy and gross, and my fish pie is a best-seller

[Mercy]

I cook mine in a small amount of stock first, flake it and then make the creamy sauce.

What fish does everyone use btw?

(actually we haven't had fish pie for yonks, roll on autumn!)

[Mercy]

Yes I use white and smoked fish too.

Not mad keen on prawns tbh (unless in home-made prawn cocktail once in a blue moon)

[nooka]

I think it depends on the recipe. But I suspect it would be unwise to use raw fish and just extend the cooking time. I usually poach and my pies are lovely (pity dd won't eat anything with a sauce!).

[bundle]

have to have hard boiled eggs
capers
prawns (usually)
any kind of fish, a mix is nice
rosti quite good for change instead of mash (she said, blaspheming)

[madamez]

I do the fish in a frying pan with a bit of chopped onion and a splash of water then stir the lot into the white sauce before adding sweetcorn then topping with mixed mash spuds and carrots...

[itati]

Hubby likes cheesey mash. Anyone used feta? Normally I use that in salads but I have no cheedar.

[itati]

This is what I have done -

Cod poached in milk and fresh parsley.
Mushrooms in bottom of dish (being economical and using up food), then fish, prawns, parsely sauce and mash on top. Pie in oven to heat through and crisp up the potato ready to eat once DS2 is in bed. I usually put corn in too but none left.

Never had capers, what are they?

I once tried anchovies but they were way too salty.

[bundle]

they're like little flower buds

here