Old-fashioned fish pie

Step 1

Stick cloves into onion halves and place in a saucepan with milk, bay leaf and fish. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 8 minutes. Remove fish with fish slice and cool slightly. Strain cooking liquor into a jug, discarding solids. Flake fish into large chunks, discarding any bones. Place into a bowl with eggs and prawns, then season.

Step 2

Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes. Add reserved liquor and cook, stirring, until mixture starts to thicken. Add cream and simmer for 5 minutes. Add nutmeg and herbs, then season. Pour over fish, then cool.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 180°C. Pour mixture in four 500ml pie dishes. Cut 1cm-wide strips from the edge of pastry sheets. Press around rims of dishes and brush with a little water. Sit sheets on top, pressing lightly to seal. Cut off any excess pastry. Cut 2 small slashes in tops for steam.

Step 4

Brush pastry with egg and bake for 25 minutes or until pastry is risen and golden.