With the end of the holidays heralds the start of a new year and new school beginnings. The days are hectic filled with activities and school homework vexing both parent and child.

On busy weekdays my preference is to get the family fed and in bed as early as possible so that everyone is fresh and pleasantly rested for another grueling day.

Therefore dinner has to be quick, tasty and of course healthy since one must try to adhere to one’s resolutions however fleeting they may be. One of our family’s favorites is “Nursery Fish pie”, soothingly delicious it calms the aching body, mind and soul after a busy day living life.

You must give it a try.

Ingredients:

·    1.5 kilograms potatoes
·    150 grams butter
·    1 kilogram fillet
·    500 ml milk
·    3 bay leaves
·    A teaspoon of peppercorns
·    125 grams frozen peas (optional)
·    75 grams plain flour
·    125 grams cheese (grated)
·    3 large hard-boiled eggs

Method:

1.    Peel the potatoes and boil the potatoes in a pan of salted water to cook from cold. When they're done, drain and then mash them with 75g / ¾ stick of the butter, seasoning to taste.

2.    Put the fish into a large frying pan with the milk, bay leaves and peppercorns. Bring the milk in the pan to a boil, then immediately turn down and simmer the fish until it is just cooked through.

Remove the fish to a plate and pour the cooking liquid into a jug, straining out the bay leaves and peppercorns..

3.    Melt the remaining 75g / ¾ stick of butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour to make a roux.

4.    Take this off the heat briefly, just while you gradually whisk in the fishy milk, then put back over a medium heat and keep stirring until the sauce comes to a boil and thickens. Stir in the cheese and peas.

5.    Flake the fish, put into ovenproof dish,  pour the sauce over, using a rubber spatula to help you distribute it equally.

Cut the hard-boiled eggs into slices and arrange the golden-centred discs over the top of the fish in sauce.

Top with the mashed potato, make sure the entire dish is covered. Sprinkle some grated cheese on top, cover with tin fol and put in the oven for twenty minutes, remove the foil and leave for another five minutes until the cheese melts.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe