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fish pie

main courses | serves 4 - 6
This is a fantastically simple fish pie which doesn’t involve poaching the fish or making a tedious white sauce. Loads of good, fragrant veg are added quickly by grating them in. You can use whatever fish you like, making this as luxurious as you want it to be. If you like your fish pie to be creamy, feel free to add a few tablespoons of crème fraîche to the fish.
PS Some of the supermarkets now offer lovely packs of different fish and shellfish for using in fish pies. Keep a look-out, and if you buy one you want it to be about 700–750g in weight for this recipe.

To prepare your fish pie
• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6 and bring a large pan of salted water to the boil
• Peel the potatoes and cut into 2cm chunks
• Once the water is boiling, add your potatoes and cook for around 12 minutes, until soft (you can stick your knife into them to check)
• Meanwhile, get yourself a deep baking tray or earthenware dish and stand a box grater in it
• Peel the carrot
• Grate the celery, carrot and Cheddar on the coarse side of the grater
• Use the fine side of the grater to grate the zest from the lemon
• Finely grate or chop your chilli
• Finely chop the parsley leaves and stalks and add these to the tray

To cook and serve your fish pie
• Cut the salmon and smoked haddock into bite-size chunks and add to the tray with the prawns
• Squeeze over the juice from the zested lemon (no pips please!), drizzle with olive oil and add a good pinch of salt and pepper
• If you want to add any spinach or tomatoes, do it now
• Mix everything together really well
• By now your potatoes should be cooked, so drain them in a colander and return them to the pan
• Drizzle with a couple of good lugs of olive oil and add a pinch of salt and pepper
• Mash until nice and smooth, then spread evenly over the top of the fish and grated veg
• Place in the preheated oven for around 40 minutes, or until cooked through, crispy and golden on top
• Serve piping hot with tomato ketchup, baked beans, steamed veg or a lovely green salad

• from Jamie's Ministry of Food

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ingredients

• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1kg potatoes
• 1 carrot
• 2 sticks of celery
• 150g good Cheddar cheese
• 1 lemon
• ½ a fresh red chilli
• 4 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 300g salmon fillets, skin off and bones removed
• 300g undyed smoked haddock fillets, skin off and bones removed
• 125g king prawns, raw, peeled
• olive oil
• optional: a good handful of spinach, chopped
• optional: a couple of ripe tomatoes, quartered

user comments

85 comments

1. Arunas Fri 15 Jan 2010 @ 21:07 It's my third time wit this recipe and it has never failed me.This time I tried half the juice of lemon but I guess I will trie the whole of it next time and will add more chilli...anyway my friends and puzzled and perplexed ... how come me such a good chef.... lovely dish.. thanx

2. Gillian Thu 08 Oct 2009 @ 09:53 This is the best fish pie I have ever had. I have not made it myself yet. My fatherinlaw who lost his wife in February has been learning to cook from The Ministry of Food book and made it for us when we went to visit him in Jersey. It was mindblowingly good! I am glad he practised on my brother in law thought because first time he forgot to peel the prawns!:) My 2 boys are both learning to cook, I taught them but Jamie inspires them to try new things and they experiment. I have downloaded all his programmes on to Itunes and they watch Jamie on Apple TV, get in the car, buy the stuff and make it. Bliss!!! Last night was the fish pie made by my 19 year old and it was AWESOME!!!

3. grace Mon 05 Oct 2009 @ 06:09 the best fish pie ever! I made it with fresh groper from the Marlborough Sounds ( NZ)
had to substitute a few of the ingredients for what i had in the cupboard, didn't have prawns or salmon, and added cream cheese instead of crème fraîche.
It was creamy and delicious, and real quick to make, awesome.

4. Mouth78 Sat 04 Jul 2009 @ 15:11 darling if u want a creamy sauce as u said u should do a béchamel. pour in some melted butter the same quantity of flour then stir and then add gently milk or fish stock or a mix of fish stock and milk. then add your fish in. if u want it cheesy u can also add some cheddar in.

5. Hannah Simpson Tue 16 Jun 2009 @ 19:35 Spent lots of money on the fish and to be honest it wasnt as I imagened. I hoped for a creamy cheesy fish pie... like Youngs fish pie...I even added the creme fraiche... I was a bit disapointed, however my sister said she loved it. Perhaps I should add more cheese or something next time.

6. Suzanne Tue 16 Jun 2009 @ 19:14 Fabulous!

7. coral Sun 31 May 2009 @ 12:55 This recipe is the nicest fish pie going. It has a lovely fresh lemon and hint of chilli flavour. Its so moreish.
(only used half the lemon recommended).

8. hatice Sat 09 May 2009 @ 23:06 hi im 15 years old and love cooking ive been cooking sice i was 9 i think that jamie oliver is a great role model and is a great insperation to me his recipies are really easy to follow and the food that he cooks are really easy to make

would love to meet him one day
:-)

9. Julie Wed 06 May 2009 @ 16:47 This dish is yummy and easy! Hurray.

10. Wild Bamboo Wed 06 May 2009 @ 13:17 Brilliant recipe

my girlfriend and I keep challenging each other to make a good fish pie based around what you've written here, and admittedly, she always makes a good pie. But this weekend I'm going to give this another go and wow her. Victory shall be mine!

Also, thanks to you, Jamie, I discovered a passion for cooking. Had I known about you ten years ago, I would be a chef right now. Thanks so much and keep them going!

11. Amanda Harding Wed 06 May 2009 @ 01:38 I made this fish pie. But made it in individual ramekin dishes, I added the creme fraiche and replaced the potato topping with a puff pastry lid. They were delicious. Thankyou.

12. Giannina Wed 29 Apr 2009 @ 16:30 I did it on valentines day, my husband abosolutely loved it and keep saying to me when i am gonna make another one, mind i didnt add the prawns, and it was fantastic!!!

13. Mandy Niles Tue 28 Apr 2009 @ 20:24 This is a beautiful fish pie and so easy to make. Kept to the recipe but omitted the celery. It was stunning...you have to try it!!

14. Tara Conaghan Sun 26 Apr 2009 @ 16:12 Hia Jamie.
I made this last night and all the family LOVED it - even my daughter Fern, who is not usually the greatest eater!
Thanks so much. I've got your 'Ministry' book, and am making all sorts of gorgeous stuff now. Yum! x

15. moira Sat 25 Apr 2009 @ 22:33 hi jamie, was wondering if you could freeze the fish pie cause theirs only me and my partner and i dont like wasting food thanks

16. 32 Fourth Avenue Sun 19 Apr 2009 @ 22:25 One of our flatmates made this pie with smoked marlin, caught in the Bay of Islands (NZ) and it was delicious!!

17. Helena Sat 18 Apr 2009 @ 12:58 Hi Jamie,

I made this last night for my husband, myself and 2 kids and we absolutely loved it. It might have been a bit too lemony for my 3 year old so I will make sure not to put as much lemon in the next time. It was the nicest thing ive tasted in ages. Im trying your homemade pizzas tonight...cant wait.

18. Garry Hendry Tue 14 Apr 2009 @ 05:06 My friend Ross made this for the guys at work last night and it was truely awful. He used frozen white fish with NO smoked fish, salmon or prawns. what a plonker.

19. Ellen en Ben Tue 07 Apr 2009 @ 15:41 We both loved it.
We gave the fish a twist, cause Paris live is so bloody expensive, but it still tasted delightfull.
With love, E. & B.

20. Annie Fri 03 Apr 2009 @ 16:57 I'm making your fish pie because my sister in New zealand just emailed me that it was the best she'd ever eaten but I can't see what the cheddar is for.

21. Ehanley Mon 30 Mar 2009 @ 13:51 I was at dinner in a friends house at the weekend and she cooked this fish pie - and it was the best fish pie I have ever tasted ! I kept sneaking into the kitchen to have another bit when nobody was looking !!!! Can't wait to try it myself ! :-)

22. Andrew Nash Thu 19 Mar 2009 @ 18:59 Jamie, this was the 1st meal i have ever cooked on my own for my mum dad and sister, it went down a storm it was delicious, il be cooking it again and again, not only that it has inspired me to test my skills on other meals, iv properly cant wait to cook again, but no doubt i would have ever even tried cooking and enjoyed it so much if it haddent been for you, nuf respect

23. laura Wed 11 Mar 2009 @ 21:12 I followed the recipe exactly and wow, best fish pie ever!!! thanks jamie x

24. Timmy Wed 11 Mar 2009 @ 17:59 I cooked this fish pie for my whole family last week and it was so good
my grandmother soiled herself several times.

25. andrew h Sat 07 Mar 2009 @ 21:17 i have not made the fish pie yet but i will now seeing all these good reports about the pie. so untill i make the pie.

26. Malcolm Thu 05 Mar 2009 @ 19:55 Perhaps not everyone who lives in Rotherham is incapable of cooking, but some of them are incappable (sic) of spelling.

27. claire Tue 03 Mar 2009 @ 00:18 hay i served u fish pie at a dinner party i had for my husbands birthday and it was absolutally fab thanx a lot

28. Jane Sat 28 Feb 2009 @ 19:46 So easy to make & very healthy. I am going to share the recipe on our Intranet at work, as they are looking for quick healthy food for busy lives. I know it takes 40 minutes to cook but not long to prepare, so you can use the time to catch up with the family. Will give your web site a mention as it got loads of good recipes.

29. Greg Mon 23 Feb 2009 @ 16:15 Made this last night for a bunch of friends. Smashing success. Dead easy to make, and tastes amazing. I added some bacon to the mash as a little surprise, was fantastic. Can't wait to make Fish Pie again!

30. Helen Sun 15 Feb 2009 @ 09:01 This recipe was recommended by a friend so I thought I would give it a try. My husband and two daughters (4 and 2) could noy get enough - we all loved it. It's easy to make and so tasty it has become a family favourite! Thanks Jamie!

31. Lulu Fri 06 Feb 2009 @ 20:53 I work in a chalet in italy and needed a quick and easy fish for 17 people. this one is perfect!! Thanks jaime.x

32. andygo Mon 02 Feb 2009 @ 18:15 that fish pie was the bollox!!! piece of piss to make, even for a hairy arsed builder
like myself.

33. Anthony Fri 30 Jan 2009 @ 17:11 I made this fish pie during the week and it was excellent, It was so filling it could possibly stretch to 6-8 servings, with a vegetable or salad side dish. The absence of the creamy sauce made it a healthier option for my family as we are all trying to lose a little ;-)

34. jue-jue biker Mon 26 Jan 2009 @ 19:02 Just made ur fish pie for the first time ever have modified ur receipe as i did not have all the ingredients. (celery or carrot) so ive used white fish & prawns, half a lime instead of lemon, a tin of chopped tomatoes with herbs and ive cooked up some peas & stirred them in with the mash & served it with warm harvest baguettes. we really enjoyed it this will be a regular dish in our house
thanx your the best

35. teresa driver Sun 25 Jan 2009 @ 11:10 Lovely - we all loved it and it is going to become a weekly staple. I will take out the prawns though as they go a bit rubbery. We love you Jamie.

36. Lee Thu 22 Jan 2009 @ 08:24 This is the first time I've made a fish pie and, with this recipe, it won't be the last. Next time I will probably omit the prawns.

37. Tashapc Sun 18 Jan 2009 @ 16:25 Have to admit I'ma big fan of your "Return of the Naked Chef" fish pie but as I didn't have all the ingredients, decided to give this recipe a try - though I did skip the carrot and added in peas and boiled egg instead....just cooking it now...will deliver the verdict in about 1 hr!

38. Dannii Mon 12 Jan 2009 @ 13:51 I Made this dish today. All I can say is "yummy yummy in my tummy. My kids (Freddie 6 and Poppy 4) loved it too, both asking for seconds. I'm just about to see what else I can make which is easy and tasty, thanks Jamie X

39. Paolo Sat 10 Jan 2009 @ 20:39 Hi everybody!
I made this fish-pie yesterday night for a couple a friends and it was really nice, I eated just for me today at lunch and was very good as well, next time maybe just a bit less lemon..:), even if for my friends was perfect obviously...hehe

40. Sally Wally Fri 09 Jan 2009 @ 11:57 Brillant, really loved it, great that you don't need to make the sauce. I have 4 small children so just don't have the time, this was dead quick and v tasty, thank you x

41. P Fri 09 Jan 2009 @ 10:18 Have made this twice, the first time I used mature Cheddar and it didn't work well, but they 2nd time I made it exactly how the receipe stated and it was fab! My husband scrapped the plate clean! Have some friends over for lunch next week and am going to use this receipe to make some individual fish pies. Can't wait!

42. Annette Thu 08 Jan 2009 @ 17:25 made the fish pie for the first time today,it was very nice and love the different tastes. found this very easy to make and i am going to try another one of the recipes out tomorrow.

43. alisha Thu 08 Jan 2009 @ 08:11 hey jamie,im 15 years old. i have been training to be a chef for the last two years and im looking for something new to cook i only live in a small town so its hard to cook fancy stuff so im looking for some thing simple and easy and some thing every one will love so if you could give me some ideas it would a big help thank you alisha

44. josie Wed 07 Jan 2009 @ 12:39 I gave this recipe a whirl last night and it was delicious! I too was catering for young 'uns so I omitted the prawns and replaced the salmon with haddock. I'll definitely make it again although next time I'll scale back on the chilli! (My kids said it was too spicy for them). Personally, I love the creme fraiche, lemon & chilli combo. An absolute winner!!

45. gareth12 Sun 04 Jan 2009 @ 16:00 made this pie today only missing out the lemon, it is delicious,

46. Fat Boy Foxy the Wolves Fan Sat 03 Jan 2009 @ 18:10 Hi.
Making this right now, following the instructions on the laptop in the kitchen! Was really simple and great fun to make, got my 3 year old involved with the 'mixing of the ingredients' he was like a mini Dave Bellamy!! Oooooooooo laverly.

47. Edith pashley Sat 03 Jan 2009 @ 15:39 Hi Jamie ,
Thank you so much for this lovely recipe,this is the best fish pie i have ever tasted.
Very much appreciated.
Lots of love
Edith

48. Matt Fri 02 Jan 2009 @ 19:17 After reading both this and Huge Furball Whittingstall's recipe (http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/creamyfishpie_82361.shtml), I decided to combine the two with some great results.

I used a courgette instead of a carrot, left the vege in (in Hugh's they are taken out), used some cream and milk... with good results.

About the only thing I got slightly wrong was runny belchemal, so the pie didn't firm up enough.

49. lauramary Tue 30 Dec 2008 @ 18:21 So good, I am making this AGAIN! Totally delicious, very moreish, and very healthy.

50. Justine Wed 24 Dec 2008 @ 07:58 Yummy! I have just purchased the Ministry Of Food Cookbook. This is the first thing I have made. Its like a gourmet version of a fish pie. Definately something you would serve up to guests. It would of fed six people however there are only four of us, but there are no leftovers. 10/10.

51. Lolly Tue 16 Dec 2008 @ 20:45 Love the fish pie recipe. Enjoy watching you on TV, you make cooking look fun. Will look forward to watching this evenings programme about Christmas dinner. Carry on the good work. At last there is somebody that cooks like me, I enjoy everybit of cooking and love the outcome when hubby scrapes his plate out. I must admit though a lot of my cooking I make up myself rather than follow recipes. Somebody mentioned a slow cook and steamer, I have used them for years and they are a godsend. Happy healthy eating everybody.

52. Katy Mon 15 Dec 2008 @ 08:20 Jamie, I can't rave enough about this recipe! It was the first time I made fish pie and it was totally delicious and easy - and I really love how healthy it is too. The only change I made was substituting white fish for the salmon and omitting the prawns. Thanks so much!

53. Katy Mon 15 Dec 2008 @ 08:20 Jamie, I can't rave enough about this recipe! It was the first time I made fish pie and it was totally delicious and easy - and I really love how healthy it is too. The only change I made was substituting white fish for the salmon and omitting the prawns. Thanks so much!

54. Nikki Jackson Tue 09 Dec 2008 @ 17:53 Hello!

We're having a dinner party tomorrow night and I'm going to try to make your Moroccan Lamb - it looks gorgeous! I've got a veggie friend (who eats fish...) coming tomorrow for dinner too and am considering making a mini version of this fish pie. Do you have any other suggestions to wow veggie dinner guests - it's sooo difficult!

Cheers!

Nikki, Manchester

55. carla Sun 07 Dec 2008 @ 13:31 have made the fish pie a few times now and started to vary the recipe to add/remove things we like/dislike. each time has been lovely, such an easy recipe to follow and easy to alter to suit your tastes, have recommended to many people. thanks x

56. (another) Sarah Fri 05 Dec 2008 @ 19:09 The best fish pie ever and SO easy........ a regular in our house now with varieties of fish! ***Delicious*** Love it!!!

57. Dianne Wed 26 Nov 2008 @ 15:49 Ist fish pie I have ever made, I even surprised myself and partner, Quick and easy to follow, I will be using your wed site more often and passing the recipe on to friends.

58. Nicole Tue 25 Nov 2008 @ 19:51 Made this for dinner tonight. Very nice, but a bit too lemony for my 2 year olds liking. perfect amount for our family with enough left over for husband's lunch tomorrow and my dinner tomorrow night.

59. Matt Sun 16 Nov 2008 @ 18:10 I know that the aim of this recipe is to cut down on the hassle, but I found that this method was equally difficult (ie not very) and less rewarding than the way I usually make the fish pie. using the leftover milk from the poaching to make the white sauce gives the sauce some of the wonderful flavour of the fish and it's easy to boil the potatoes, poach the fish and prepare the white sauce all while the oven is heating up so I would disagree that the method is more time consuming (the longest preparation time is still the potatoes).
I'll be sticking to my fish pie recipe in future

60. joannechattell Mon 10 Nov 2008 @ 13:59 WOW.So simple to make the entire family loved it my son said each mouthful was an explosion of flavour,i will definatly be cooking this on a regular basis,

61. Sara Daniel Mon 20 Oct 2008 @ 19:25 Well it is finally in the oven! I think poaching and using juices for sauce is quicker! Still it smells good. I will probably use my own recipe next time!

62. tiffany Sun 19 Oct 2008 @ 21:19 i have made this recipie today

63. wayne Thu 16 Oct 2008 @ 21:06 Yep this is excellent, if you're not sure, just get on with it, so easy and delicious. Will use a smaller lemon next time, but i can see this up there with Rick Stien's spaghetti all carbonara.

64. wayne Thu 16 Oct 2008 @ 17:01 am making this tonight word for word, will let you all know.

65. Katy Thu 16 Oct 2008 @ 15:45 I made this fish pie this week and it was absolutely stunning! Easy to make too. I've also made the meatballs and spaghetti and the beef stir fry last night that was made at the workplace pass it on, shown on TV this week....all absolutely stunning. My husband says he is a lucky man! These recipes are getting me excited about cooking again!

66. ian Thu 16 Oct 2008 @ 11:00 The program is great, a real insperation. I used to cook a little but now want to do more. You have taken on a mommoth task and I wish you well with your long struggle ahead. Its about time the UK cleaned up its act as far as food goes and stops the damage we are doing to our kids and ourselves. I will be buying the bookat the weekend and cooking for a healthier life. Thanks mate

67. candy Wed 15 Oct 2008 @ 20:57 i like the pass on programme i will buy the book on thursday it is very good and easy

68. Laura Wed 15 Oct 2008 @ 15:25 Keep up the good work! People should be taking time to "Pass It On" so that the children of today and future generations appreciate good, home-cooked food rather than take-aways that use processed meats etc! Just ordered a copy of the Ministry of Food book and can't wait to start cooking! Well done! x

69. Alaa Tue 14 Oct 2008 @ 14:38 Hi Jamie,

love your food & the way you cook + your shows on tv.
would love to know how you cook the fried calamary please.

70. LINDSAY MONEY Mon 13 Oct 2008 @ 15:41 Hi Jamie

I have made your superb fish pie and I feel like a Master Chef!!! It was beautiful and very healthy.

Anyone should be able to make it as it was very easy!! My son Dylan did not enjoy all the variety of fishes but I will try it with just one to see if I can get the fussy eater interested!! My other half, Stuart loved it!!!

Thank you for your great ideas!!!

Lindsay from Chesterfield

71. Dom Sun 12 Oct 2008 @ 19:48 Great food; nicer bloke. Thanks for putting you money where your principles are - you're an example for every other telly chef out there

72. James Sun 12 Oct 2008 @ 19:19 hi i watched your show and fort it was wicked !!!
i showed my foodtech teacher your website !!
we cooking 2 of your recipes next week !!

73. James Sun 12 Oct 2008 @ 19:19 hi i watched your show and fort it was wicked !!!
i showed my foodtech teacher your website !!
we cooking 2 of your recipes next week !!

74. James Sun 12 Oct 2008 @ 19:18 hi i watched your show and fort it was wicked !!!
i showed my foodtech teacher your website !!
we cooking 2 of your recipes next week !!

75. Donna Sun 12 Oct 2008 @ 16:55 Made the fish pie recipe last night and it was gorgeous and so easy to make. My little girl who's 6 loved it. I'll definately be recommending the recipe to friends.

76. Rosemarie Fri 10 Oct 2008 @ 17:33 Jamie the other day i watched you program on tv.you prepared some fired fish and potatoes but i really missed the best part the white sauce you made to enrobe the fish with. and i really want to prepare it. My kids want to eat what you prepare so please help me .
We all love your delicious dishes.
I wish you all the success.

77. carla Fri 10 Oct 2008 @ 12:07 going 2 make this tonigh and have already passed the idea on to a work colleague, so even if dont physically show them, u can still pass it on. i work an have a 15 month old and a partner who works shifts, an i still manage to cook. i invested ina slow cooker and food steamer that i could pre-set to come on at whatever time and they haev been a godsend to healthy eating

78. Rukeya Thu 09 Oct 2008 @ 01:05 From naked chef to ministry of food I have watched how enthusiastic you are.
The nation does need someone like you to get them excited about cooking. I don't understand when people say it costs too much to cook from fresh ingredients. On your advert you say you can make a meal for four for a fiver, don't they watch tv !
Good luck with everything you are trying to achieve!!!

79. chris Tue 07 Oct 2008 @ 22:27 I have just watched your show on Channel 4 Jamie's Ministry of Food.
I have got to say you ar doing a fantastic job, some of the people in your group do not seem to get the big picture. Can they not see that you are trying to improve their lives.Im am a working Mum with 3 children and no matter how tired I am when I get in I cooked them a fresh meal.I try to make sure that they have a balanced diet, not always easy in this busy word that we live in.I just hope the people of Rotherham wake up and smell the roses life is too short to live in ignorance.

80. LL Tue 07 Oct 2008 @ 16:44 I'd just like to say I think you made Rotherham look like a complete joke.
it was so awful to watch because not everyone who lives there are incappable of cooking, & for the couple of people on your show who represented rotherham..
well they should be ashamed. you should have stated on your show that you would look at the poverty side first. by the way you portrayed Rotherham..anyone would thing it was something from Shameless!

81. Claire Mon 06 Oct 2008 @ 14:01 I don't find making the white sauce tedious. I just use the milk I poached the fish in-remove the fish & add some cornflour dissolved in a little water. Easy peasy! Having said that I'll still try this recipe cos it sounds lush!

82. alan Sat 04 Oct 2008 @ 15:34 have watched the show and i am going to try some of the recipes.I like to know if you have any tips on getting kids to try new foods my daughter has a form of autism and i find it very difficult to get her to try new things her dinners are very limited due to this i like to try and cook a lot of fresh meals and not out of a packet but she will not try any of it any tips would be grateful

83. Carole Wed 01 Oct 2008 @ 20:37 Interesting program last night, I've always loved cooking & passed on ideas to friends ,family and work mates who have then added there own bits to recipe's passed them on and let me know how they expanded the recipe's themselves.
I do hope this works out for you & the people of rotherham because its a great idea and there are enough cheap food shops about to be able to afford to have a go at your recipe's.
Love & all the best keep up the good work.
Carole

84. sj1122 Wed 01 Oct 2008 @ 15:38 I would love it if you would put the recipes in cups, pounds and ozs. for us cooks in the states!

I'm trying to teach my sister to cook and it will be hopeless if she has to try and figure out how to convert all the quantities.

Much apprecialte!
sj1122

85. sarah Tue 30 Sep 2008 @ 23:07 i've only made fish pie once before and made a right hash of it. So if this goes well i'll be giving the recipe to my mum and friends