Last year I recall seeing many seafood & fish pie dishes being presented by my Brit friends ‘oer across the pond. To all of you, each and every pie you baked had me salivating and I promised you all and myself to add this dish to my roster.
The kicker for this dish is what the book calls a “rösti” topping. For those not in the know, rösti is a Swiss dish of grated potato, usually mixed with butter or animal fat and fried into lovely patties of spud goodness.
This seafood pie emulates that taste and texture on the topping. Many fish & seafood pies get the mashed potato topping but when I read this technique, I loved it from the the “get go” and the result is a textured, fab looking topping that will please the eye and the belly on these cold autumn nights.
The dish comes from a book called Easy Entertaining by Julia Aitkens. There are few few photographs in the book but it’s jammed with many simple dishes that will WOW your guests with little effort.
This recipe originally called for smoked salmon – I had smoked mackerel. It’s all good as long as you added something smoked for the proper flavour mix.
Seafood Pie With Rösti Topping
Filling 
1 1 1/4 cups of cold milk
1 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter
1lb cod, haddock or other white fish 8oz. raw shrimp, peeled & deveined 8oz. of bay scallops
2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables (thawed & rinsed)
4oz. of smoked salmon
3-4 bunches of scallions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup minced dill pickles
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
splash of Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. of black pepper
1/4 tsp. of salt
1 large bay leaf
1 clove of garlic
Topping
2 large Yukon Gold potatoes
1/3 cup of melted butter
salt and pepper
Pre-heated 400F oven
- For the filling: In a large sauepan over medium-high heat, combine the milk, wine and flour, bay leaf and whisk until smooth. Stir in butter and bring to a boil while whisking and the mixture becomes smooth and bubbly. Reduce to medium and whisk for a couple of minutes until it thickens.
- Add the fish and seafood, mixed vegetables, scallions, herbs, pickles and Worcestershire, salt and pepper and stir gently. Taste & adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and remove the bay leaf and garlic clove. Spoon/pour the mixture into a 11 by 7 inch baking lined with parchment.
- For the topping: Add the potatoes (skin on) to a large pot of water and fill with enough water to just cover. Bring to a boil and add salt and boil for 15-20 minutes, until just under-cooked. Drain and place in cold water to cool down just enough for you to safely handle them.
- Peel the skins off the potatoes with the aid of the back of a knife and using the largest holes of your box grater, grate the potatoes evenly over the surface of your seafood pie mixture.
- Using a brush, dip it in your melted butter and sprinkle over top of your potato topping. Lightly season the topping with salt and pepper and place in your pre-heated oven for 40-45 minutes. If necessary, heat the broiler and the broil your seafood pie for 2-3 minutes to get a golden-brown topping.
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes, cut into portions and serve immediately with a dry white wine.
78 Responses
Oh gosh, you make me wish I could eat seafood. Your pie has me salivating, it looks so good! *signed a tosser in the UK* :-)
Could there be anyone in the world who wouldn’t want to eat this? Yummeroonie!
I think I want to marry this dish. NO! I think I want to marry you, so you can make it for me! lol Lawd this looks delicious!
What a gorgeous idea! Your pie looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a gorgeous idea! Your pie looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a gorgeous idea! Your pie looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a gorgeous idea! Your pie looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a gorgeous idea! Your pie looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a gorgeous idea! Your pie looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a gorgeous idea! Your pie looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a gorgeous idea! Your pie looks wonderful!
Cheers,
Rosa
That looks soooo tempting. I can’t propose to you Peter, but I’m willing to move next door ;)
aahh rösti makes me think of when I was living back in Switzerland!! Great recipe, love how you used the rösti here!
Great looking pie!!! I love the topping!
You know that if there is seafood in… I’m the first one in the row ;D.
What a great way to do the topping!!! Maybe, from now on, you switch from Cheese to Potato????
This looks great! I have always wanted to make a English seafood pie….one of these days.
Looks like some great comfort food!
A perfect dish for cooler weather. That topping is inspired.
Oh, be still my heart. Yum!
Love, love the rosti topping!
What is so nice about those kind of dishes is that you can easily substitute the ingredients and use what ever veggie or fish you have on hand. Thanks for sharing.
It seems we all have “pies” on the mind … just made shpeherd’s pie last night. Perfect food for the season. Your Seafood Pie looks absolutely amazing. Love, cod, love shrimp, love scallops.
Wow now i don’t know what i like the best the filling or the topping.
Well in seconds i decided i am in love with both as the whole plate looks super delicious.
sounds like this would be a good way for us to eat more fish (oops I almost said eat more pie)
I LOVE the topping on that pie Peter!
That is one good looking Seafood-alicious Rosti-tastic pie!
Peter, the Rosti topping looks amazing – just crisp enough and gorgeous!
This pie looks wonderful and very different to the ones we know.
The best Seafood Pie I had was in a pub in St. John’s. That brings back memories. I always told myself that I’ll have to recreate it someday.
Bright foods make for happy meals, don’t they? Forget the ol’ fast food…give me colors. this one has them all!
Peter I really like this. I made something similar with veal (recipe on the blog) but seafood is just perfect here. Something I have to try!
Love that Rosti topping Peter! Perfect with that seafood pie goodness.
very nice. the brits and the swiss would be proud. looks sinfully delicious, but the fish makes me think “healthy”.
Roesti topping Peter!!!!!!!!!!This an inspired idea:D
This makes me happy – I’m loving this!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Save for the dill pickles, this dish is perfect – a personal preference only. I’m sure that the pickles add a bit of a salty flavour – but I have to try this one. I made some pretty uninspired seafood risotto today – this would have been a much better option.
I cooked this tonight! Was great, thanks!
Peter, you know how much I love your Greek dishes – but this pie has me both dribbling and drooling! (I’ve been craving fish pie for the last week or two – must… make… soon…!)
The rosti topping is a fantastic adaptation!
Peter,
This looks absoulutely gorgeous (& time consuming).
I may make this for my holiday buffet. I love it!
Stacey
This looks like a perfect dish for potluck!
My hero Delia Smith has a fish pie with rosti topping in one of her books – brilliant! I like the addition of the pickles in your filling.
i’d go ahead and lick my plate clean if this was made without the seafood. i know, i know–i’m so fickle. :)
Be still my heart, Peter!
This is a definite winner! Who wouldn’t love a pie filled with all of that glorious seafood? I love the rosti topping too. Much lighter and crispier than mashed. I’ve even seen shredded potatoes in the refrigerator section at the market.
Peter,Peter, You know I die by seafood so this seafood Pie is Heaven to me!!! and the topping yummy!!!!!! xxxGloria
Hey Nikki (Canary girl) I want marry Peter too!!!! LOL
This dish is fabulous, I definitely want to give this a try. Love the topping!
this looks delicious – i love seafood mixed with veges
You’re right, no fish pie of mine will ever have a mashed potato topping again..delicious!
I love the idea of a rosti topping. On anything.
A gorgeous seafood pie Peter. I really like the addition of the Rösti topping!
Rosie x
Holy crap. This leaves chicken pot pie in the dust.
I’ve never had a seafood pie, but that really looks amazing.
I’ve never had a seafood pie, but that really looks amazing.
I’ve never had a seafood pie, but that really looks amazing.
I’ve never had a seafood pie, but that really looks amazing.
I’ve never had a seafood pie, but that really looks amazing.
I’ve never had a seafood pie, but that really looks amazing.
I’ve never had a seafood pie, but that really looks amazing.
I’ve never had a seafood pie, but that really looks amazing.
Why have I never had seafood pie before???
What are you doing with all the leftovers? You made a lot? Good grief that topping should be against the law Peter!
This looks really good. I’ve never made a seafood pie before – my husband would love it!
looks delicious…now I’ll have to add to ‘my’ roster.
That looks awesome! So comforting.
I’m surprised you didn’t post something about hot wings, my little Facebook friend.
I could get all comfy, cosey, with a plate of this in front of me!
sometimes those are the best cookbooks. i’m always drawn to the books with the pretty pictures, but they are often disappointing. this pie sounds awesome!
sometimes those are the best cookbooks. i’m always drawn to the books with the pretty pictures, but they are often disappointing. this pie sounds awesome!
sometimes those are the best cookbooks. i’m always drawn to the books with the pretty pictures, but they are often disappointing. this pie sounds awesome!
sometimes those are the best cookbooks. i’m always drawn to the books with the pretty pictures, but they are often disappointing. this pie sounds awesome!
sometimes those are the best cookbooks. i’m always drawn to the books with the pretty pictures, but they are often disappointing. this pie sounds awesome!
sometimes those are the best cookbooks. i’m always drawn to the books with the pretty pictures, but they are often disappointing. this pie sounds awesome!
sometimes those are the best cookbooks. i’m always drawn to the books with the pretty pictures, but they are often disappointing. this pie sounds awesome!
sometimes those are the best cookbooks. i’m always drawn to the books with the pretty pictures, but they are often disappointing. this pie sounds awesome!
How could one resist a sea food pie with a golden brown top like that?
Can you hear my orgasmic screams. I love seafood and this looks like one rich dish.
This looks absolutely delicious. My mom is moving out to MI, finally, and I’ve been looking for recipes to spoil her with. She LOVES rosti potatoes and seafood – I think this may be her first night dinner!
Eugenia, glad you liked it. It seems the rosti topping is the highlight of this dish and I’ll will try it out on other dishes, like say a Shepherd’s Pie.
Stacey, it’s real easy…and doesn’t take that long.
I print rigth now, I just lOve all the ingrédients. A fish pie very original.
Beautiful
Yummy
Peter μας κακομαθαίνεις!!!
Το blog σου είναι Ï…Ï€ÎÏοχο…ότι συνταγή Îχω φτιάξει πετυχαίνει και σε ευχαÏιστώ για αυτό!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
Kisses from sunny Athens
Ouranio