Irish Farmhouse Fish Pie

Ingredients (serves four):

• 700g/1Ib 9oz cod or haddock
• 850ml/1.5pt milk
• 1 small onion peeled
• 60g/2.25oz butter
• 60g/2.25oz flour
• 60g/2.25oz Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese, any variety
• 3 small ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped
• 2 hardboiled eggs, shelled and chopped
• 2 tbsp. parsley, finely chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Potato topping
• 700g/1Ib 9oz potatoes, peeled
• 60g/2.25oz butter
• 60 ml/4tbsp cream
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Remove the bones from the fish.
2. Place the fish, onion and milk together in a saucepan and bring gently to boil over a low heat.
3. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool.
4. Strain off the milk from the fish through a sieve or colander and keep it for the sauce.
5. Flake the fish, removing any skin and bone. Remove the onion.
6. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour.
7. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, then pour in the strained off milk gradually, stirring well until the sauce comes to simmering point.
8. Add the cheese and cook for one minute, stirring continuously, until melted.
9. Remove the pan from the heat and add the fish, chopped tomatoes, hardboiled egg, parsley, a pinch of salt and some freshly ground pepper.
10. Put the mixture into a pie dish.
11. Meanwhile, cut the potatoes in chunks and boil until tender.
12. Drain in a colander, return to pan and mash well.
13. Mash in butter and cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
14. Cover the fish mixture with the mashed potatoes.
15. Bake in a preheated oven 180c/350f/gas mark 4 for 25 minutes until cooked through and browned.