Lampuki Pie (Maltese Fish Pie)
A savory pie featuring flaky white fish (lampuki, or dorado/mahi-mahi) baked with vegetables, herbs, and olives in a rich tomato sauce, all encased in a golden pastry crust.
🧂 Ingredients
- 800 g Lampuki fillets(or other firm white fish like mahi-mahi, cut into chunks)
- 500 g Shortcrust pastry(store-bought or homemade)
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(chopped, canned)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 100 g Kalamata olives(pitted and roughly chopped)
- 2 tbsp Capers(rinsed and chopped)
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Fresh mint(chopped)
- 100 ml White wine(dry)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1 large Egg(beaten, for egg wash)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a 23cm (9-inch) pie dish.
- 2
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté onions until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, olives, capers, parsley, mint, white wine, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- 4
Gently fold in the lampuki chunks into the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, just to warm the fish through.
- 5
Line the pie dish with one sheet of shortcrust pastry. Spoon the fish filling into the pastry-lined dish.
- 6
Cover the pie with the second sheet of pastry. Crimp the edges to seal and cut a few vents in the top to allow steam to escape.
- 7
Brush the top of the pie with the beaten egg wash. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- 8
Let the pie rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Lampuki is a seasonal fish in Malta, typically available in autumn. If unavailable, other firm white fish can be substituted.
- ✓Ensure the pastry is well-sealed to prevent the filling from leaking.
- ✓Don't overcook the fish in the sauce; it will continue to cook in the oven.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat.
- Include a handful of cooked peas or diced bell peppers in the filling.
- For a richer pie, add a tablespoon of butter to the sauce.