Simple Fish Pie

It's funny how life changes.  Nowadays I find myself running by the seasons, nearly oblivious to what the date is.  The first 2 months of Winter rolled by, mornings sitting by the fire, a nearly dormant garden and the family needed nursing with coughs and colds.

Now that Spring is nearly here things are changing.  Bulbs have quietly appeared and among their long slender leaves buds are nearly ready to burst.  Blossoms are starting to appear on fruit trees and seeds need sowing in my grow house to get a head start on the season to come.  This is the kind of rhythm I never imaged living by when I left the city, but I love it.

Simple Fish Pie Recipe
Serves 6

5 Medium Potatoes, Peeled and Quartered
2T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2C Milk
1C Water
2 Bay Leaves
10 Pepper Corns
750g Hoki Fillets
2T Butter
1 Large Onion, Diced
3T Flour
Small Bunch Parsley, Finely Chopped
Salt and Pepper
¼C Grated Cheese

Start by covering potatoes with cold salted water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until tender.  Drain.  Meanwhile heat the milk, cup of water, bay leaves and pepper corns over medium high heat.  When the milk mixture is steaming hot poach the whole fish fillets for 4 minutes.  Gently remove fish fillets from poaching liquid and set aside.  Strain the poaching liquid.  Add about half a cup of poaching liquid to potatoes and mash with olive oil and a pinch of pepper.  Rinse the poaching pan and return to medium heat - turn oven on to 180°C Fan Bake.  Melt butter in pan and add in onion, cook till onion is soft.  Stir in flour and cook for a minute longer.  Slowly stir in 2 cups of warm poaching liquid and continue stirring over heat till thickened.  Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper.  Now to construct the pie, gently flake hoki into base oven proof dish.  Cover fish with white sauce and then dollop over the mashed potatoes.  Smooth surface of potatoes and sprinkle over a little grated cheese, bake for 30 minutes or until potatoes and cheese are golden.  Serve with salad or vege.  My kids devoured this recipe.