Tuna & Mushroom Potato Top Pie

Pie is my family all time favourite. It has become a tradition of our family to have pie whenever there is a special celebration, such as Christmas, Easter, New Year day, sometimes birthdays too. I was first introduced to homemade pie by my Mother-in-law when I was married few years ago. She is simply a good cook and a good baker with so many tested traditional recipes. I was thrilled and inspired by her ability and talent in making all sorts of pie. I must be thankful to her as she has guided me in many of her traditional cooking and baking.

One of the most popular pies in every occasion in the family is "Traditional Chicken pie". Using variety of ingredients in the chicken stew and baked it with homemade pastry top, it is wholesome, easy & tantalizing! Is it great to be able to savour homemade pie during special occasions? Besides Traditional Chicken pie, "Family pie" is another traditional and simply mouth-watering pie which makes you fall in love with it. It is also an easy-to-make pie with the mixture of eggs & evaporated milk as the top. This pie is creamy and delicious. I managed to baked this pie under her supervision someday ago. (Check out the recipe here!). I must say it is a great way to learn variety of traditional recipes from the older generation & those experienced cook.

Well, today I would like to share with all of you a modern pie recipe which I chanced upon. Besides pastry pie, I wanted to try something more savoury, creamy & cheesy! Potato top pie is a good choice and it is indeed easier to make. It is similar to shepherd's pie but instead of using minced mutton or beef, I go for Tuna. This recipe is adapted & modified from the Women's Weekly Food Book - Easy healthy meals - Tuna, onion potato top pie. This was my first attempt in making potato top pie, which I can assure you, it is simply delicious and easy to make. For my case, I have added fresh white button mushroom & dried herbs in this pie to enhance the taste and at the same time to added more fiber in my son's diet. The recipe is suitable for kids, especially those picky eater. This recipe called for tuna, which is a good source of protein & Omega 3. Moreover, tuna is healthier and low in fats compared to meat. You may add extra ingredients such as carrots, green peas or corns to add more vegetable range. Isn't it great to have a wholesome meal for the whole family? I would definitely make this again for any special party or celebration, it is such a simple & quick recipe for any occasion.

Serves: 4 Ingredients A: 3 large US Potaotes, washed & peeled 1 tbsp Butter 1/2 cup Milk (I used full cream milk) Ingredients B: 1/2 cup Fresh White Button, chopped coarsely or sliced 1 Onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped 2 sprigs Curry leaves, removed stem 2 cups Tuna (use canned tuna chunks in sunflower oil) Salt & black pepper to taste 2 tbsps Lime juice 2 tbsp shredded Cheddar cheese 4 medium-sized Oven-proof bowls Methods: 1. Preheat oven at 300ºF. 2. Peel and wash potatoes, cut into small chunks. Bring water to a boil. Add in a pinch of salt & potatoes. Make sure the water cover the potatoes. 3. Boil potatoes until soft. Drain. Mash hot potatoes with butter & milk. Set aside. 4. Heat up oil in a frying pan over medium-high fire. Brown onions for one minute, add in garlic and curry leaves. Fry another minute. 5. Add in mushroom and saute until fragrant. Add the tuna and toss well. Sprinkle some salt & black pepper according to your taste. Off fire. Stir in lime juice and mix well. 6. Spoon tuna mixture into 4 medium-sized oven-proof bowls. Press mixture into the bowls with the back of a spoon. 7. Top with mashed potato and use the back of the spoon to smoothen the surface. Use a fork to make patterns on the top of the mashed potato. 8. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over and add a sprinkling of black pepper. 9. Place in the oven and bake for 15 mins at 400ºF or until the top is golden brown. Do not over baked. Note: • Mash potatoes with potato masher while it is hot to make the process easier. • Use US Potato to get the soft and moist texture.