The Coziest Fish Pie Recipe for Comfort Food Lovers

Creamy, comforting fish pie captures the heart of maritime cuisine with its rich, velvety texture.

Layers of tender white fish nestle beneath a golden mashed potato crust.

Seafood enthusiasts appreciate the delicate blend of flavors that dance across the palate.

Coastal traditions inspire this classic dish, bringing warmth to any dining table.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in crafting a memorable meal.

Simple techniques transform ordinary components into an extraordinary culinary experience.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this delightful recipe.

Why James Martin Fish Pie Is A Seafood Staple

• Craft Comforting Layers: This fish pie builds delicious depth with multiple ingredients, creating a rich and satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Simplify Cooking Process: Straightforward steps allow both novice and experienced cooks to prepare a restaurant-quality dish without complicated techniques or rare ingredients.
• Transform Ordinary Ingredients: Basic pantry staples like milk, butter, and potatoes combine magically to produce an extraordinary dinner that impresses family and guests.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe permits swapping fish types or adding personal touches like extra herbs, making it adaptable to individual taste preferences and kitchen supplies.

James Martin Fish Pie Ingredient List

• Chopped Fish: Fresh white fish that forms the main protein of the pie.
• Smokies: Smoked fish that adds a rich, deep flavor to the dish.

• Milk: Creamy liquid used to create the white sauce and soften the fish.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create a smooth white sauce.
• Flour: Thickening agent for the white sauce.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, fresh flavor to the sauce.

• Onion, Clove, Bay Leaf: Ingredients that infuse the milk with a subtle, sophisticated flavor.
• Cream: Adds extra richness when drizzled on top of the pie.
• Mashed Potato: Creamy topping that creates a golden, crispy crust when baked.

• Peas, Butter: Simple accompaniment that complements the rich fish pie.

How To Make James Martin Fish Pie Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Oven Temperature

Crank up your oven to a toasty 200 degrees Celsius, getting it ready for the ultimate fish pie adventure.

Step 2: Arrange Seafood Base

Spread out your chopped fish pieces in a welcoming baking dish, then crown them with delectable smokies for an extra flavor punch.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Milk Infusion

Gently warm the milk with a whole onion adorned with clove studs and a fragrant bay leaf, allowing the liquid to become a flavor-packed foundation.

Step 4: Craft Creamy White Sauce

• Melting butter
• Whisking in flour
• Slowly incorporating the infused milk
• Stirring in fresh chopped parsley for a bright, herbal touch

Step 5: Blanket Fish with Sauce

Pour the luxurious white sauce over the fish, ensuring every morsel gets a generous coating of creamy goodness.

Step 6: Add Potato Topping

Layer fluffy mashed potatoes over the saucy fish, then drizzle with a decadent mixture of cream and melted butter for extra richness.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Serve with Buttery Companions

Plate up your fish pie alongside vibrant buttered peas for a complete and satisfying meal that’ll make everyone at the table smile.

Tips For A Creamy James Martin Fish Pie

• Quick Fish Selection: Choose fresh white fish like cod, haddock, or pollock for the best flavor and texture.
• Boost Milk Infusion: Steep onion and bay leaf in warm milk longer to intensify the subtle, aromatic flavors.
• Prevent Soggy Topping: Pat fish dry before adding sauce to avoid excess moisture making potato layer soggy.
• Crispy Potato Finish: Rake fork tines across mashed potato surface to create peaks that brown beautifully and add crunch.
• Dietary Swap Option: Replace dairy milk with plant-based alternatives for lactose-free or vegan version of the dish.

Tasty Variations Of James Martin Fish Pie

• Seafood Medley Variation: Replace single fish type with mixed seafood like salmon, cod, and shrimp for enhanced flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Topping: Swap traditional mashed potato with mashed cauliflower for a lighter, keto-friendly alternative that reduces carbohydrate content.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour for white sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for individuals with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute fish with firm tofu or mixed vegetables like leeks, mushrooms, and zucchini, keeping white sauce and potato topping unchanged for a plant-based version.

Pairings That Match James Martin Fish Pie

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the rich, creamy fish pie with its bright, zesty acidity, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
• Match Fresh Green Salad: Light, crisp mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty, creamy texture of the fish pie.
• Complement Buttered Peas: The existing side of buttered peas already offers a delightful green vegetable accompaniment that enhances the pie's maritime essence.
• Serve Crusty Sourdough Bread: Warm, crusty bread allows diners to mop up the delicious white sauce and adds a satisfying textural element to the meal.

How To Store James Martin Fish Pie Properly

• Store fish pie in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or container, storing for maximum 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place individual portion on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel, heat at 50% power for 2-3 minutes until steaming hot.
• Preheat oven to 180C, cover dish with foil to prevent drying, warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74C for food safety.

James Martin Fish Pie Questions Answered

• What type of fish works best for this pie?

Use a mix of white fish like cod, haddock, and salmon for rich, varied flavor and texture.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the pie up to the point of baking, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just add extra 10-15 minutes to baking time.

• How do I know when the fish pie is properly cooked?

The top should be golden brown and crispy, and the sauce bubbling around the edges. Internal temperature should reach 145°F for perfectly cooked fish.

• Is this recipe suitable for freezing?

You can freeze the assembled pie before baking for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking as directed.

Fish Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45-55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comforting British “fish pie” brings hearty coastal flavors straight to kitchen tables with creamy seafood nestled under golden mashed potato peaks. Home cooks discover a classic maritime dish promising warmth and satisfaction in every delightful forkful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fish and Seafood:

• 450 grams (1 pound) haddock
• 450 grams (1 pound) cod
• 2 Arbroath smokies (optional)

Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:

• 500 milliliters (2 cups) milk
• 40 grams (3 tablespoons) butter
• 100 milliliters (1/2 cup) double cream
• 50 grams (4 tablespoons) melted butter
• 2.5 tablespoons plain flour

Herbs, Vegetables, and Additional Ingredients:

• 12 onion with 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• Small bunch parsley
• 800 grams (1.75 pounds) mashed potato
• 600 grams (4 cups) peas
• Knob of butter

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Instructions

1. Infuse milk with clove-pierced onion and aromatic bay leaf, allowing flavors to meld gently for 10-15 minutes.
2. Craft a velvety white sauce by whisking butter and flour, gradually incorporating the fragrant, strained milk until smooth and glossy.
3. Stir fresh parsley into the sauce, creating a vibrant and herbaceous base for the seafood.
4. Arrange a medley of chopped fish varieties in a prepared baking dish, layering with smoky fish for depth of flavor.
5. Generously cascade the herbed white sauce over the fish, ensuring an even, luxurious coating.
6. Create a pillowy top layer of creamy mashed potatoes, spreading carefully to completely seal the fish beneath.
7. Drizzle a decadent mixture of cream and melted butter across the potato surface for enhanced richness.
8. Bake in a preheated 200°C oven for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown, crispy potato crust.
9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
10. Serve immediately alongside tender, butter-glazed green peas for a complete, comforting meal.

Notes

• Swap different fish types for variety, like salmon, cod, or haddock to keep the recipe exciting and flexible.
• Infuse extra flavor by adding herbs like dill or tarragon into the white sauce for a more complex taste profile.
• Create a gluten-free version by using cornstarch instead of flour and selecting certified gluten-free milk alternatives.
• Enhance nutrition by mixing root vegetables like parsnips or carrots into the mashed potato topping for added color and vitamins.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 486 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg