Prawn Mussel Pies Recipes

PRAWN & MUSSEL PIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Lay the pastry (a piece about 18cm x 23cm) on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 4 rectangles (see Gary's tip, below). Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 mins until golden and puffy.
• Meanwhile, pour the wine and 450ml/16fl oz water (see Gary's tip below) into a large, deep pan and bring to a boil. Tip in the cleaned mussels and cover with a lid. After a couple of mins, remove the lid and stir the mussels until they open. Any refusing to open should be discarded. Drain the mussels in a colander, saving the juices. Remove the mussels from the shells, keeping some shells if you like, to use when serving the soup.
• Warm the olive oil in the pan, then add the sliced onion, celery, star anise, orange zest, bay leaves, saffron and lemon juice. Cook over a moderate heat without colouring the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until completely tender, 12-15 mins.
• Strain the mussel cooking liquor through a fine sieve over the vegetables, and bring to a simmer. Add the tomatoes, season with a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed chillies and simmer for a few mins to soften the tomatoes. Spoon the mussels and prawns into the soup, stir in your preferred quantity of butter and heat to just below simmering point - you don't want to overcook the fish. Sprinkle in some chopped parsley to finish, and serve in bowls with a pastry lid perched on top of each.

SPICED FISH & MUSSEL PIE

Steps:

• Boil the parsnips and potatoes for 15-20 mins until tender. Drain and mash well with 25g/1oz butter and seasoning. Cover and set aside.
• Bring the stock to the boil in a large pan. Tip in the mussels, cover and leave to steam for about 3 mins, or until the shells open. Drain into a colander set over a large bowl to reserve the stock. Remove and throw away the shells and any un-opened mussels. Cover the cooked mussels to stop them drying out.
• Melt the remaining butter and fry the onion until softened. Stir in the curry powder and fl our, and cook for about 1 min. Pour in the coconut milk and 3-4 tbsp of the reserved mussel stock and stir well until you have a smooth sauce. Leave to simmer for 5 mins until thickened.
• Add the cod to the sauce, return to a simmer and cook for 3-4 mins, stirring occasionally, but trying not to break up the cod. Stir in the mussels, prawns and coriander, season, then tip into a large ovenproof dish. Spread the parsnip mash over the top.
• To serve now heat the grill and grill until the mash is golden and crusty. To eat later cool, cover, then chill for a couple of hours. To serve, heat oven to 200C/ fan 180C/gas 6 and bake for 35-40 mins until hot all the way through.

THAI MUSSELS & PRAWNS

Steps:

• Blitz half the red chilli, the coriander stalks, garlic, ginger and coconut milk in a blender.
• Pour the coconut milk mixture into a saucepan, add the lemongrass and cook over a medium heat for 5 mins. Turn up the heat, add the prawns and mussels, then cover and cook for 4 mins - the prawns should be pink and the mussel shells should be open (discard any that have not opened). Remove the lemongrass and discard.
• Divide the shellfish and broth between two serving bowls and squeeze over some lime. Chop the coriander leaves and sprinkle over the top along with the rest of the chilli. Serve with slices of crusty bread to soak up the broth.

CREAMY FISH TOPPED WITH MUSSELS AND PRAWNS

Steps:

• Note make the sauce first and leave on heat as the fish fillets cooking time are very quick.
• In a fry pan heat a little oil and cook garlic slightly, you don't want to burn it, add the green onion and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Boil, steam or microwave carrots and beans until tender, set to one side.
• Heat milk in pan, add both the stocks. Blend cornflour with a little water and add half the mixture stir until sauce thickens slightly.
• Add sour cream, lemon juice, white wine, cream and mustard stir until thoroughly.
• combined.
• Add cheeses and stir until melted, add garlic onion mixture and dill. If the consistency of the sauce is not to runny like a broth, don't add the remaining cornflour. If it needs to be thickened up a little more to make it more of a sauce, this is where you add remaining cornflour. I add a little at a time until desired consistency. ( I don't know why but sometimes I need all of the cornflour and other times what I add in the beginning is enough.).
• Add the carrots, beans, mussel meat, and prawns. Leave over low heat while you cook the fish, stir sauce occasionally.
• Pour a little oil in a pan and heat. Pat fish on both sides lightly with flour, place fillet in pan (pan should be hot enough that fish sizzles when added, turn heat down to a medium high heat immediately) Cook, without moving fish, until edges of fillets are opaque and bottoms are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Turn the heat up on the sauce, so it is nice and hot when served. Turn fish over and cook again without moving fish, 3-4 minutes. This is for thick fillets, for thin it will only be 2-3 minutes a side.
• To serve place a mound of mash potato in a large bowl, place fillet on top and pour sauce over.