Friday, March 24, 2023

Friday knitting joy, fish pie and winnowing

Today was the Day of the Fish Pie. I've never had it, never made it, just heard it referred to, so  I though I'd look at a few recipes to get the general idea.

A base of white fish, layer of mixed vegetables , cheese sauce over, top lid of mashed potatoes. 

So I figured everything's cooked, then the time in the oven just heats up and blends the flavors

So


Cod, cilantro, potatoes, carrots, chard, scallions,  cheddar and Parmesan cheese, salt, nutmeg, berbere 


I spiced the chard heavily with berbere, steamed the carrots, microwaved the potatoes, poached the fish in milk, some of which I added to the potatoes to mash them with butter


The rest of the milk went into the cheese sauce. Fish layered in buttered glass dish


 cooked vegetables next, cheese sauce poured over, some cheese saved for the top of the pie 
Mashed potato on top 350f about 25 minutes, all bubbling and smelling very good 

And here's lunch. Five more meals in this dish, which is why it was worth all the steps. It's a complete meal, and I think poaching the fish, which I've never done before, was a good idea. In fact the whole thing was a good idea. 

The nutmeg against the fish worked, and the berbere in the vegetables wasn't too strong, because of the blandness of the fish and potato combo, so that worked. 

All in all, worth a bit of trouble.  I learned a few things, too, always a Good Thing (tm).

This afternoon was the knitting group, and this wonderful piece, part of a cowl, by Sandy, starred

Less glamorously, today's winnowing


We're a little past halfway through my allotted winnowing season, and I'm starting to run out of material.  I suppose this is good. There's always paperwork, though.

And the puzzle answer is

NINETEEN!

Not so obscure once you know the answer, but quite opaque until then. Caro was on it right away.

Happy day everyone, try something new. Or don't. You're the boss of you.





28 comments:

  1. I have to visit the fishmonger. I’ve no fish in the deep freeze now and we like at least one meal every week. Your casserole looks and sounds great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was worth the effort. You have a fishmonger? Pretty good.

      Delete
  2. Wow, wow, five meals left in that meal sounds wonderful. I just made a big thing of potato salad. Good bit of servings left there too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't mind a bit of effort if there's plenty of food at the end. I see you do likewise.

      Delete
  3. The knitted celtic knot is magnificent! And "nineteen" *shakes fist*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandy's good, isn't she? This is a complicated cable pattern. And NINETEEN is so annoying , after you're told it, when it escaped you before.

      Delete
  4. I used to make a fish pie using tinned tuna. It was a hit with the kids who didn't like fish!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suppose the fish was disguised by the other ingredient.

      Delete
  5. I am a bit surprised that you’ve never had it until now. It keeps coming up in my British mysteries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, there was a cultural imperative at work. But it was fatally associated with school dinners in my thinking. Turns out it's good if you do it right.

      Delete
  6. So, in a way, a fish pie is a bit like a shepherd's pie. A sailors pie? Nice. I love the idea of using the poaching milk in the potatoes and cheese sauce. Perfect!
    I've never poached fish either.
    That knitting design leads me to tell you that at least when it comes to knitting, Sandy is the boss of me! (Of course you are too.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never made shepherd's pie nor cottage pie, but I think it's the same principle, yes. I'm impressed that I've done a cooking thing you haven't -- poaching fish. Ysy me.
      Sandy is a superb knitter. In my group I'm a struggling beginner in comparison to her and a couple of others.

      Delete
    2. I don't think that poaching fish is done here. It's just not something I've ever even seen! Isn't that odd?

      Delete
  7. Your fish pie sounds and looks delicious! Fish, this way or another, is a prevailing food item on my table.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do enjoy cod particularly. Glad it's available now that stocks have recovered from earlier overfishing.

      Delete
  8. Well, now. I think I'll be making a fish pie. I've heard of it but had no idea or interest. Now I do. I poach fish, not so often anymore. I know you don't eat meat, but pork chops poached in milk is quite good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The pork chops tip is good for readers who do eat them. Go for the pie. I bet Mark would like it, too.

      Delete
    2. It's on tomorrow's menu. Thawing fish as I type.

      Delete
    3. I hope you both enjoy it. That was quick work.

      Delete
  9. The fish pie sounds amazing! As for the winnowing, it's always a good idea to free up some space in the kitchen cupboards. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ther kitchen seems to be a clutter magnet because of foods coming in unavoidable plastic containers. I use them a lot for freezing, but they keep ahead of me.

      Delete
  10. Your food looks great, that would be something for me too... I'm sure :-) looking at your plate... nam.
    Today I cooked potatoes and cauliflower and there was turkey schnitzel... tomorrow I'll cook broccoli soup, I like it too... especially since it's going to be chilly over the weekend.
    The knitted work is beautiful, I love cable knitting.
    Many greetings to you from Viola.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Viola. I think I'd like your menus.

      Delete
  11. I've never had fish pie but it sounds like something I would like. Tonight we had smelts which Resident Chef breaded prior to cooking.
    The Celtic knot design in that cowl looks so intricate - way beyond my knitting abilities.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's quite a complex bit of charted cabling. I think Resident Chef might be encouraged to make the fish pie.

      Delete
  12. I’ve never had fish pie. Sounds like a yummy way to use up all your veggies
    That knot is beautiful. Too complicated for me.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I now think fish pie is going to ba a good go-to when I have time and inclination to make it. Isn't that cabling lovely?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your kitchen must smell like a heavenly spot!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for commenting. I really appreciate your taking the time, and taking part. Please read the comments and see if your question is already answered!