Upside Down Fish Pie, 97p | 15 Minutes | One Pan | JACK MONROE

Updated at: Wed, 16 Aug 2023 23:54:06 GMT

Step 1

Serves 4 generously, from 97p each. Prices costed at Asda and correct at time of publication.

Step 2

First pop your fish out of the freezer the night before and place it in a food sage bag, container or covered bowl in the fridge to defrost. Add the mixed frozen veg too if you like, but it’s much of a muchness as they’re already cooked, so if you don’t at this stage, they’ll be fine later on.

Step 3

Peel your onions and dice or finely slice them, and slice your celery. Pop them in a large nonstick pan, and add the oil and a generous pinch of salt.

Step 4

Place the pan on the highest heat on the largest hob ring, and fry your veg for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to disturb them so they cook evenly and don’t stick and burn at the bottom of the pan.

Step 5

Add your mixed frozen veg, and cook for 2 minutes more.

Step 6

Sprinkle over your flour, crumble over your stock cube, and add your herbs, and stir these in well, so the veg is all very lightly coated, or as much as you’re able to.

Step 7

Pour over a little of the milk and stir in briskly and well so that it forms a thick paste along with the flour and oil that are already in the pan. Add a splash more, stirring continuously, until half of the milk – 300ml – is incorporated into the pan.

Step 8

Add your fish and fold in carefully so it doesn’t break up and flake too much, making sure it is covered by the liquid sauce.

Step 9

Cover your pan with a lid, or if you don’t have a lid, a larger pan upturned to make a Dutch oven type thing, a baking tray laid flat across the top, a sturdy dinner plate that will withstand some heat, or some cooking foil will do the same job. Reduce the heat very slightly so it’s not absolutely boiling, and cook so the fish poaches through, which should take around 8 minutes.

Step 10

Towards the end of the cooking time, pour the remaining 300ml milk into a microwave safe jug. Add 300ml cold water, then add the butter or spread, and the instant mash, and stir well to combine. Microwave on full power for 1 minute, remove and mix well with a fork to break up any lumps, and return to the microwave for another minute on full power. Remove and stir again.

Step 11

Serve the mash in bowls and spoon the fish ‘pie’ filling generously over the top. Season with plenty of black pepper, and serve.

Step 12

TO KEEP Store any leftovers in a food safe jar, container or bag in fridge or freezer. Use within three days if stored in the fridge, or use within three months if stored in the freezer. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat to piping hot to serve.

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