Seafood pie with potato crust.
Seafood pie with potato crust.William Meppem

This offering is simple,but sustaining. You can make it lighter if you cover the top with a store-bought puff pastry lid instead of potato. Make sure you egg-wash the top so it goes golden brown. I use flathead,but any firm white-fleshed fish is good.

Advertisement

Ingredients

  • 450g skinless flathead,bones removed

  • 8 king prawns,peeled and deveined

  • 1½ tbsp olive oil

  • 1 brown onion,sliced

  • 4 garlic cloves,chopped

  • 3 tbsp plain flour

  • ¾ cup chicken stock

  • 1 cup pure cream

  • 2 tbsp salted baby capers,rinsed well and drained

  • ½ tsp lemon zest

  • 8 scallops

  • 1 tbsp chopped dill

  • 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley

  • 1½ tbsp lemon juice

  • sea salt and freshly ground white pepper

  • 1kg kipfler potatoes,scrubbed clean

  • 1 tbsp chopped thyme leaves

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method

  1. Step1

    Cut the flathead and prawns into large chunks.

  2. Step2

    Heat olive oil in a heavy-based saucepan. Add onion and garlic and cook over low heat until softened. Add flour and cook,stirring,until the flour bubbles and goes grainy,about 2 minutes.

  3. Step3

    Gradually stir in stock,cream and 1¼ cups of water. Cook,stirring over low heat for 5 minutes until mixture thickens. Stir in capers and lemon zest and simmer for 2 minutes,then add flathead and simmer for 1 minute.

  4. Step4

    Add the prawns and scallops and simmer for 30 seconds more. Remove from heat,then gently stir in dill,parsley,lemon juice and season well.

  5. Step5

    Potatoes: Place kipfler potatoes in a pot of water,bring to a boil,and then simmer until soft,about 15-20 minutes. Drain well and sit in a colander to dry. Place in a bowl and crush. Add thyme,1 tbsp oil,1 tsp salt and generous grind of pepper. Mix together well but do not purée.

  6. Step6

    Preheat oven to 200°C.

  7. Step7

    Place the seafood filling in a large baking dish. Spread the potato mixture on top to make a rustic-looking crust,then drizzle remaining oil over the top. Put in the oven for 15-20 minutes and bake until top is golden.

Appears in these collections

The best recipes from Australia's leading chefs straight to your inbox.

Sign up
Neil PerryNeil Perry is a restaurateur,chef and former Good Weekend columnist.

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement

Similar Recipes

More by Neil Perry