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Entree: Fish and Escarole Pie

Source of Recipe


Food & Wine Magazine December 1997






List of Ingredients



• PASTRY:
  
• 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
  
• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 tsp. salt
  
• 2 large egg yolks
  
• 3 to 4 Tblsp. ice water
  
• FILLING:
  
• 1 1/4 cups dry white wine
  
• 1 cup water
  
• 6 or 8 whole peppercorns
  
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 2 pounds skinless haddock or red snapper fillets
  
• 2 Tblsp. pine nuts
  
• 2 Tblsp. golden raisins
  
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  
• 2 Tblsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 1 pound escarole, leaves rinsed but not dried
  
• 2 Tbls. coarsley chopped Gaeta olives
  
• 1 Tblsp. salted capers, rinsed
  
• pinch of crushed red pepper
  
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
• Egg wash made with one large egg yolk mixed with 1 Tblsp. water
  






Instructions



1. To make the pastry: In a medium bowl, cut the butter into the flour until thoroughly combined. Add the salt. Mix in the egg yolks with a fork, adding enough of the ice water to make a cohesive dough.
   
   
2. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead very briefly.
   
   
3. Gather the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic and refidgerate for at least 30 minutes.
   
   
4. To make the filling: In a large saucepan, combine 1 cup of the wine with the water. Add the peppercorns, thyme and bay leaf and bring to a simmer over moderately low heat. Add the fish and poach gently until the fish is just firm, about 5 minutes; do not overcook as the fish will finish cooking in the pie. Transfer the fish to a plate to cool.
   
   
5. In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until golden, Transfer the pine nuts to a small plate.
   
   
6. In a small saucepan, bring the remaining 1/4 cup of wine just to a simmer. Add the raisins and set aside to steep.
   
   
7. In a medium saucepan, cook the onion in the olive oil over low heat until softened but not browned. Stir in the escarole and cook over moderately low heat until thoroughly wilted; add a tablespoon of water to prevent the escarole from burning. Drain the escarole and when it is cool enough to handle, squeeze it dry. Coarsley chop the escarole and place it in a bowl. Stir in the olives, capers and red pepper.
   
   
8. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. If you have a baking stone or oven tiles, preheat it in the oven.
   
   
9. Divide the chilled dough into 2 pieces, one larger than the other; keep the smaller piece covered and chilled.
   
   
10. On a very lighlty floured surface, roll out the larger piece of dough into a 13-inch round. Fit the dough into a 10" tart with a removable bottom, pressing the dough lightly into the side without stretching. Put the shell into the freezer while you finish making the filling.
    
    
11. Drain the raisins and stir them into the escarole along with the pine nuts. Flake or cut the fish into large pieces and mix gently with the escarole, taking care not to break up the pieces. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
    
    
12. Roll out the remaining piece of dough into an 11-inch round. Remove the pie shell from the freezer and fill with the fish and escarole mixture, smoothing the surface. Cover with the dough round and crimp the edges to seal. If you have any leftover dough, make a pair of small fish cutouts, moisten lightly and set them on top of the pie.
    
    
13. Using a sharp knife, cut a few steam vents in the top of the crust.
    
    
14. Lightly brush the pie with the egg wash and bake on the bottom shelf of the oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
    
    
15. Let cool for about 30 minutes before serving in wedges.
    
    






Final Comments


Our friend, Richard made this pie and served it as a first course one Thanksgiving-it is absolutely fabulous!!!