Stargazy Pie

Method

1. Lay 2 prepared sardines flat on a plate, skin down. Squeeze over the juice of 0.5 lemon, add a little of its zest, and season with 0.25 tsp salt and a good grind of black pepper. Leave to sit for 15 minutes — the acid firms the flesh and takes the edge off the oiliness.
2. Lower 1 egg into simmering water and boil for 8 minutes, then cool under cold running water, peel and chop roughly. In the same pan, simmer 80 g sliced potato for 4 minutes until just yielding but not breaking, then drain well and let the steam dry off.
3. Fry 1 rasher of streaky bacon in a small dry frying pan over medium heat for 3 minutes until the fat runs and the edges crisp. Add 1 finely chopped shallot and soften in the bacon fat for 3 minutes without colouring. Lift out and snip the bacon into short strips.