CSSM Fish Pie

Many, many years ago when the world was young (OK, a bit younger) I used to spend a couple of weeks every summer in Walton on the Naze acting as cook on a CSSM (Children's Special Service Mission - now known as Scripture Union beach missions). The trick was to feed a team of around 20, three times a day, on a rather tight budget. There was a cookbook full of useful recipes passed down to every new cook and you could add your own to be passed on in time. This is one recipe that I found in that book that I scaled down and still use from time to time. Easy, quick and surprisingly good.

CSSM Fish Pie
Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS
400 grams white fish - whatever is cheapest at the time
1 tin Batchellors Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup 295 grams
1 tin peeled tomatoes 400 grams
Instand mashed potatoes 176 gram pack
80 grams cheddar cheese, grated
2 packs of cheese and onions crisps
Butter
Salt
Pepper

METHOD

1. Grease ovenproof dish with butter
2. Cut fish into bite size chunks and lay on bottom of dish
3. Season
4. Open tin of tomatoes and pour over fish
5. Add soup (DO NOT ADD WATER OR MILK)
6. Add cheese
7. Make up instant potato and add knob of butter
8. Spread potato over dish
9. Smash up crisps into small pieces and sprinkle over top
10. bake on gas mark 6 for 35 mins or until crisps are dark golden brown
11. Serve

As it cooks the soup, tomato and cheese will combine into a rich sauce and the crisps add a great savoury crunch. If you are feeling luxurious you can add a few prawns but this is so tasty it really doesn't need them so you can give the prawns to your favourite feline. OK, my cat MADE me add that!