Fish pie facts for kids

Fish pie

Fish pie is a delicious, savory pie that has fish inside. It's a popular dish, especially in British cooking. Instead of a pastry crust, fish pie usually has a yummy topping of mashed potatos.

People often make fish pie with white fish, like cod, haddock, or halibut. These fish are cooked in a creamy white sauce. Sometimes, hard-boiled eggs are added too, making the pie even more filling.

Fish pie is often baked in a deep dish. Because it has a mashed potato topping and is similar to shepherd's pie (which uses minced meat), it's sometimes called "fisherman's pie."

What is Fish Pie?

Fish pie is a classic comfort food. It's a warm, hearty meal that combines tender fish with a rich sauce and a soft potato topping. It's a great way to enjoy seafood!

Main Ingredients

The main parts of a fish pie are:

• Fish: Usually white fish like cod, haddock, or halibut. Sometimes, other fish like salmon can be used too.
• Sauce: A creamy white sauce, often made with milk, butter, and flour. It holds the fish together and adds flavor.
• Topping: Fluffy mashed potatoes. These potatoes are spread over the fish and sauce, then baked until golden brown.
• Extras: Some recipes include vegetables like peas or carrots, or even hard-boiled eggs for extra texture and taste.

How is Fish Pie Made?

Making a fish pie involves a few simple steps:

1. First, the fish is gently cooked, often by poaching or steaming.
2. Next, a creamy white sauce is prepared.
3. The cooked fish and sauce are then placed into a baking dish. Any extra ingredients like eggs or vegetables are added here.
4. Finally, a layer of mashed potatoes is spread evenly over the top of the fish and sauce.
5. The pie is then baked in the oven until the potato topping is golden and crispy, and the filling is bubbly and hot.

History of Fish Pie

Fish pie has been a part of British meals for a long time. It's a practical dish that uses common ingredients. It became popular as a way to use fish, especially in coastal areas where fish was plentiful. The idea of using mashed potatoes as a topping instead of pastry made it a unique and comforting meal.

See Also

• Pot pie
• Sweet potato pie
• Recipes for luxury fish pie and fisherman's pie from BBC Food.

Images for kids

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  The stargazy pie is a traditional Cornish pie made with the heads of pilchards protruding through the crust.

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  Fish pie with sweet potato topping

In Spanish: Fisherman's pie para niños