3/14-It's Pi ( or Pie) Day!!!!

It's Pi Day:  3/14 or 3.14159265 the number that never ends.   Rather then think about Math, it makes our heads hurt a bit.  We have decided to think about the yummy kind of Pie 


Who doesn't love pie?   Its makes our mouths water!

 So in honor of Pi day I'm sharing two recipes for tasty pies, one savory and one sweet (the hounds are a little peeved that neither are dog friendly, but they still have turkey cakes to make them happy).  Both pies are easy to make and hail from the British Isles, as I am a confirmed anglophile with a love for all things British from tea pots

 
 to Bulldogs

 Now I can add pie to the list.

The first is really more of a casserole then a pie, but who am I to argue with its name.

Fish Pie or Tweed Kettle Pie From Tea and Sympathy (Don't you love the names the English give their foods)

• 1lb salmon filets (skinned and boned) cut in chunks
• 1 lb cod fillets (skinned and bones) cut in chunks
• 1 large onion chopped
• 3 1/2 cups of whole milk
• 1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
•  2 tbsp chopped parsley
• salt and pepper
• Mashed Potato (see recipe below)
• Grated Sharp Cheddar

• Preheat the oven to 350F.
• Place fish in a large saucepan. Add the onions, milk and bay leaves; simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, until the fish is cooked.
• Strain the mixture, reserve the liquid and discard the bay leaves.  Set the fish aside.
• Heat the butter in a saucepan and gradually add the flour, stirring constantly until it becomes a thick paste, 2-3 minutes.
• Slowly add the milk stock, stirring constantly, then the heavy cream. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat.
• Add the chopped parsley and remove the pan from the heat.
• Add the fish and salt and pepper to taste. Pour the mixture into a 10- 12-inch pie dish and top with the mashed potato. Sprinkle with grated cheese,
• Bake for about 30 minutes, until golden brown. Serve it with peas.

 Mashed Potato

3 lbs. Idaho potatoes, peeled

½ cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 cup Whole milk

Salt and pepper to taste.

• Coarsely chop the potatoes and boil in lightly salted water for 20-25 minutes, until soft.
• Drain them well and then mash the potatoes, stir in the butter and add the milk little by little until you reach your desired consistency.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.

Banoffee Pie 

1 1/2 cups Graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
6 tbsp butter, melted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 bananas, sliced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp espresso powder

To make the Dulce De Leche from the condense milk place the can in a large sauce pan and add water to color.  Bring the water to a bare simmer and simmer over low heat for 3 hours.  Cool the can.

Preheat the oven to 375.   Combine the sugar and crumbs in the food processor and pour the melted butter through the feed tube.  When the crumb mixture is well combined pat it into a glass pie pan.  Bake 7 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool for one hour.

Spread the dulce de leche in the bottom of the crust and top with the sliced bananas.  Refrigerate.


Combine the heavy cream, espresso powder, and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat on high until medium stiff peaks form.


Top the pie with the whipped cream.

  Happy Pie Day!!!!

 

Here is a you tube clip from one of my favorite shows, Twin Peaks, with one of my favorite fictional characters Agent Cooper a big fan of pie (of course he would be very upset that I didn't make cherry pie, but its not exactly the season for cherries):