
A historical main dish from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). Time,—If of cooked fish, ¼ hour; if made of fresh fish and puff-paste, ¾ hour.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
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Clear the fish from the bones, and put a layer of it in a pie-dish
Sprinkle with pepper and salt
Add a layer of bread crumbs, oysters, nutmeg and chopped parsley
Repeat this till the dish is quite full
Form a covering either of bread crumbs, which should be browned, or puff-paste, which should be cut off into long strips, and laid in cross-bars over the fish, with a line of the paste first laid round the edge
Before putting on the top, pour in some made melted butter, or a little thin white sauce, and the oyster-liquor
Bake
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Layering fish with bread crumbs creates insulation that prevents overcooking while absorbing the flavorful oyster liquor, preventing a soggy bottom crust. The oyster liquor contains natural glutamates that enhance the savory depth of the mild fish. Bread crumb topping browns through the Maillard reaction, creating textural contrast and nutty flavors that complement the briny oysters.
The pie can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead, covered tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerated. Add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold. The white sauce or melted butter can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored refrigerated in an airtight container.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat individual portions in a 350°F oven for 12-15 minutes until warmed through. Do not microwave, as it will make the seafood rubbery and the topping soggy. This dish does not freeze well due to the delicate texture of oysters and fish.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The pie can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead, covered tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerated. Add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold. The white sauce or melted butter can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored refrigerated in an airtight container.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat individual portions in a 350°F oven for 12-15 minutes until warmed through. Do not microwave, as it will make the seafood rubbery and the topping soggy. This dish does not freeze well due to the delicate texture of oysters and fish.