Nero Wolfe's Finnan Haddie Smoked Haddock

2 lb Finnan haddie (Smoked

- Haddock) 1 c Milk

1 c Water

1/4 c Butter

3 tb Flour

2 c Heavy cream

Black pepper to taste 1/8 ts Nutmeg

1 tb Chopped pimiento

4 Hard cooked eggs

Bread crumbs 12 Bread triangles fried in

- Anchovy butter Soak finnan haddie in water to cover for 1 hour. Drain and put into a large saucepan, covering with the milk and water. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. When cooled, remove the skin and bones, reserving the stock. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook over direct low heat until smooth. Add the cream and 1 1/4 cups of the reserved stock; continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is slightly thickened. Season with pepper and nutmeg. When the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon, remove it from the heat, measure out 1/4 cup, and set it aside. Break the finnan haddie into pieces and fold them into the sauce. Simmer gently over low heat for a few minutes until the fish is warmed. Pour the mixture into a shallow casserole; cover with the pimiento and sliced hard-cooked eggs and pour the reserved 1/4 cup of sauce over the eggs. Sprinkle the dish with bread crumbs and place under a hot broiler to brown. Serve with the anchovy toast. (The Mother Hunt) SOURCE: The Nero Wolfe Cookbook by Rex Stout The Viking Press, Inc. 625 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 ISBN 670-50599-4 Library of Congress #72-75754 1973 Posted by: Bob Emert