Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 51 votes

Fish Pie with Leeks

This is a simple fish pie with leeks or onions, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes. I prefer to use a variety of seafood here, but you can stick with one if you'd like. If you do, use the total weight of the fish and seafood below.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 521 kcal
Course: Main Course , Lunch
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

POTATOES
  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
  • 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
FILLING
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 pound white fish, skinless and boneless
  • 1/2 pound smoked fish, skinless and boneless
  • 1/2 pound crabmeat (see above for alternatives)
  • salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 leeks, split lengthwise and sliced thin
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup white wine or lager beer
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons Minced chives or green onions

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make mashed potatoes. Put the potatoes in plenty of water and add a hefty pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Use this time to chop and prep things.
  2. While the potatoes are cooking, bring the 1 cup each of milk and heavy cream to the steaming point in a medium pot, and drop the fish in to poach. Let this cook gently for 10 minutes, then lift out the fish. When it's cool enough to handle, flake it. Reserve the milk-cream mixture. Flake out the smoked fish, too.
  3. By now your potatoes should be ready. Drain them. Set the pot back on the stove over low heat, then put the potatoes back in the pot to steam out a little. This removes excess moisture. Shake the pan a little to prevent the potatoes from sticking too much. Add the butter and mash them. Mash well, adding cream or milk as needed to make them nice and smooth. Add salt to taste, turn off the heat, and set this aside.
  4. In a large sauté pan, add the 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. When it's hot, add the leeks and cook, stirring often, until they're soft, but not browned.
  5. Add the flour to the pan with the leeks, mixing well. It will seize up, and that's OK. Keep it moving for a couple minutes to cook off the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the wine or beer, stirring constantly. It will make a paste in the pan. Now add the milk-cream mixture you cooked the fish in little by little, stirring to combine. You want a sauce that is like thick gravy. You might not need all the mixture.
  6. Add the poached fish, smoked fish and seafood, along with the mustard, horseradish and herbs. Stir and cook this for a couple minutes to warm through, then turn off the heat.
  7. To make the pie or pies, spoon the filling into your ramekins, baking dishes or any shallow, oven-proof pan. Top with the mashed potatoes, then sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top. Since everything is cooked, you need only brown the topping in a toaster oven set to 400°F or put the pie or pies under the broiler. Be sure to put them on a baking sheet because the cheese often spills over the sides.

Notes

  • Keep in mind that you can use almost any combination of fresh and smoked fish or seafood, as well as whatever shellfish you feel like -- or you can leave out any of these elements.
  • Sometimes I like to add another tablespoon of prepared horseradish to the mashed potatoes, or some roasted garlic, to kick them up a notch. 
  • If you don't like cheddar, any other cheese that melts will do. Muenster or Swiss or, even better, gruyere, are all good options. 
  • Alternate herbs could be rosemary, thyme, savory, lovage or chervil. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 521kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 13g (4%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 38g (58%) Saturated Fat 23g (115%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 145mg (48%) Sodium 766mg (32%) Potassium 532mg (15%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 2070IU (41%) Vitamin C 11mg (12%) Calcium 239mg (24%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 521

% Daily Value*

Calories 521kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 13g 4%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 38g 58%
Saturated Fat 23g 115%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 145mg 48%
Sodium 766mg 32%
Potassium 532mg 11%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 2070IU 41%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 239mg 24%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.