Classic Fish Pie

Time for another go-to freezer favourite – a classic fish pie. We are fortunate to have HS Murray in Inverkeithing delivering and I make sure it’s worth his while with a decent sized order as fish freezes so beautifully. We have bundles labelled smoked haddock, hot smoked mackerel, fish pie mix and other delicacies all ready to pull out when peckish. A wee bit forward thinking is gold dust in menu planning.

Sautéed Seafood with Peasemeal

Peasemeal is a versatile healthy flour used in cooking and baking since Roman times. Peasemeal production was a dying art until it was revived by Michael Shaw at Golspie Mill . It is on Slow Food’s Ark of Taste as a high quality heritage ingredient and increasingly used by chefs for its flavour and warm hue, making it both delicious and attractive.

This recipe is incredibly easy and very tasty. I can highly recommend peasemeal with seafood.

Seafood Gratin

We are blessed with fabulous seafood, so whether haddock, fresh or smoked, fishmonger’s fish pie mix or luxury scallops for a special occasion – all are equally delicious. Vegetable gratins also work beautifully with courgettes, cauliflower or even Brussels sprouts! If using vegetables, steam before placing in the ovenware dish instead of poaching in milk.

I know of no commercial crumbs that get our vote! Breadcrumbs are easy to make in a mortar and pestle and you can simultaneously rid yourself of the frustrations in life! It takes a matter of moments and the difference in flavour is outstanding. Store in an airtight jar for months and use as required.

Cullen Skink

A traditional Scottish soup made from Finnan Haddie, bone-in cold smoked haddock.

Shetland Air Dried Salt Cod Bake

Salted fish has been part of our food heritage for over a thousand years and this recipe reflects the traditions of the northern isles. Thule Ventus produce their own salt-cured cod from individually line-caught sustainable stock off Sumburgh Head, Shetland. The Shetland Black potatoes can be sourced, along with a range of heritage varieties, from Andrew Skea at The Potato House, Auchterhouse.
There is a video of this dish on my Instagram

Stekt Sill – Fried Herring – Småland style

I recall years ago there was an entertaining article in the press about an Orkney doctor. He was fair scunnered with his continuous stream of patients with snuffles and sneezes, wabbit and whining, expecting a magic potion from him for their ills. Frustrated and reluctant to prescribe medication he considered unnecessary, he famously wrote on prescriptions ‘eat more herring!’ and caused quite a stir! So with this in mind here is a tasty treat with delicious fried herring.

Breakfast Finnan Haddie with poached egg

A true Finnan Haddie is a split, whole gutted fish, not the mass-produced dyed boneless fillets. The delicate smoke gives it a wonderful flavour. It has a long association with the famous Scottish soup Cullen Skink, and is also poached in milk for breakfast and the main ingredient in kedgeree

Traditionally cold smoked over peat, from Aberdeenshire, where the name originates and popular across Scotland since at least 1640’s. It is salted and left to dry overnight prior to smoking. Due to the light smoke it has a relatively short shelf life
There are still few small independent smokers who follow the traditional method so ask when ordering. e.g. H S Murray, Inverkeithing – see link below
Finnan Haddie is on SF Ark of Taste

Berlin Brunch with Trout Topping

With family in Kreuzberg we have great fun together checking out trends and markets in this foodie hotspot. A favourite pastime is finding one of the many hipster cafés offering brunch so I call this dish my Berlin Brunch. Simply a pancake batter, oven baked until golden, topped with hot smoked trout, a drizzle of runny local honey and a local free range poached egg.

Cold Smoked Trout with Clerkland Crowdie

A heritage dish loved here and now: classic cold smoked sea trout with crowdie, one of our oldest Scottish styles of cheese, served with a drizzle of home made dressing. Perfect for sharing with sourdough or bannocks.