Wash the fish, which can beamixture,orone single type, of cod,
hake, haddock, smoked haddock etc etc. and dry more or less. Chop the
shallot and put half of it into a buttered micro-wave dish. Put fish
on top, and sprinkle with remainingshallot, a little salt and
pepper and the dry white wine. Cover loosely with cling film, pierced
in two or three places and microwave on full power for about 5 mins,
or until the fish is just cooked.
Meanwhile, peel, quarter and boilthepotatoes, hard boil the eggs,
and make a white sauce withthe first lot of butter and milk, and
the flour. (I use a little bit of maggi cube to make it into a
bechamel ~ more or less. If usingmushrooms,wipethem, and cook
lightly in a little extra butter. If using shrimps or prawns, cook
them if needed, then shell them.
As soon as the fish is coolenoughtohandle, flake it into a bowl,
taking care to remove any bones. Add the coarsely chopped hard boiled
eggs, and such of the optional ingredients as you are using.
Add the liquid exuded by the fishduring poaching to the white
sauce, and cook down gently until the original volume is reached
again. An alternative way of dealing with this liquid, is to cook it
down to a near syrup, then addit to the white sauce - it has the
same effect, but needs a little more care. Taste carefully for
seasoning, and then add chopped parsley. Gently fold fish flavoured
parsley sauce into flaked fish and put the mixture into a pie dish of
suitable capacity.
When the potatoes aredone,drainthemandmash. We use a potato
ricer, which works very well. Add the second quantity of butter and
the hot milk, stir briefly, season to taste and mix gently, taking
care not to develop the gluten. Spread themashedpotato over the
fish mixture, and if you like, make a bit of a pattern with a fork or
knife.
*May be cooked ahead to here
If not required immediately, allow to cool uncovered, then cover and
refrigerate until wanted.Don'tkeep for more then a day or so,
especially if using shrimps/prawns. When required, remove from fridge
and cook in pre-heated moderate oven375øF 190øC until the mixture
is bubbling and the top isbrowned 25-40 mins depending on whether
it was still warm when put into oven or had been refrigerated.
