Delicious Pairings For Cheese And Potato Pie Perfection

A classic British comfort food, cheese and potato pie is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side. While the pie is often associated with childhood and school dinners, it has recently gained popularity as a nostalgic family meal. The basic recipe includes floury potatoes, butter, milk, mustard, and cheese, with optional additions like onions, tomatoes, and eggs. This savoury dish pairs well with various sides and toppings, but what are some options that complement the pie's cheesy and potato flavours?

Cheese and potato pie with salad

A cheese and potato pie is a hearty dish that goes well with a variety of salads. Here are some ideas and suggestions for creating a delicious and well-rounded meal:

Choosing the Right Salad

When serving cheese and potato pie, consider a colourful and vibrant salad to balance out the richness of the pie. Opt for a mix of leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, or rocket, and include other vegetables such as sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers. You can also add some crunch with chopped carrots, radishes, or beetroot.

Dressing and Toppings

Enhance the flavour of your salad with a well-chosen dressing. A classic vinaigrette made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey can complement the pie nicely. Alternatively, a creamy dressing, such as a ranch or Caesar, can add a tangy twist. Don't forget to season your salad with salt and pepper to taste!

You can also top your salad with items such as:

• Crispy bacon bits
• Croutons
• Nuts, such as walnuts or pecans
• Dried cranberries or other dried fruits
• Crumbled feta or blue cheese

Presentation and Serving

Present your cheese and potato pie with salad by placing the pie on a large platter, surrounded by the salad. This allows your guests to easily serve themselves and creates a visually appealing dish. Alternatively, you can serve the pie on individual plates with a side of salad.

Remember to consider the temperature of your dish when serving. The pie is typically served hot, so ensure your salad ingredients are fresh and chilled to create a pleasant contrast.

Customisation and Variations

Feel free to customise your salad to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. You can make it heartier by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of cheeses in your pie, such as Swiss, Jack, Gruyere, or Gouda, to change up the flavour profile and create a unique dining experience.

Side Dishes

While the salad is a great accompaniment to the cheese and potato pie, you can also consider serving it with other side dishes for a more diverse meal. Some options include:

• Steamed green vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, or asparagus
• Pickles and mustard
• Baked beans
• Air fryer sausages
• Petit pois peas

Baked beans as a side

Baked beans are a fantastic side dish to serve with a cheese and potato pie. This combination is a popular choice, as baked beans pair well with both cheese and potatoes. The dish is simple to make and can be customised to your preference.

For the baked beans, you can use tinned baked beans in tomato sauce, or make your own. To make your own, fry an onion in olive oil, then add smoked paprika, honey, salt, balsamic vinegar, tomato puree, and a tin of haricot beans. Let the mixture gently bubble away to thicken the sauce and intensify the flavour. You can also add a squeeze of ketchup for extra sweetness.

For the potatoes, you'll need floury potatoes, such as Russet, Yukon Gold, Maris Piper, or King Edwards. Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain and mash with butter, milk, and seasoning. You can also add an egg to the mash to prevent it from becoming too dry.

To assemble the dish, layer half of the mashed potatoes into a buttered pie dish, followed by the baked beans, and then sprinkle with grated cheese. Top with the remaining mashed potatoes, roughing up the surface with a fork, and sprinkle with more cheese. For an extra crispy topping, crush some buttery round crackers, such as Ritz crackers, and mix with melted butter. Sprinkle this over the cheese and bake until golden brown and bubbling.

This baked bean and cheesy potato pie can be served as a main course or a side dish. It's a comforting and satisfying dish that's perfect for a cold winter day. You can also add sausages or fried onions to make it even more hearty and flavourful.

Fried onions on top

A gloriously gooey cheese and potato pie is a comforting dish that evokes childhood memories of school dinners and home-cooked meals. While the pie itself is a delightful combination of creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheese, adding fried onions on top takes it to the next level.

The key to achieving crispy, sweet fried onions is to cook them over medium-low heat until they are soft and golden. This process brings out the natural sugars in the onions, adding a depth of flavour that complements the richness of the pie.

When preparing the onions, slicing them into rings creates a visually appealing topping that adds texture and crunch. Alternatively, for those who prefer a more subtle onion flavour, chopping the onions into smaller pieces allows them to blend seamlessly into the cheesy mash.

For the cheese and potato pie itself, the type of potato and cheese used are crucial to achieving the perfect consistency and taste. Floury potatoes, such as King Edwards, Maris Piper, Russet, or Idaho, are ideal for creating a fluffy and absorbent mash. As for cheese, a nice sharp mature cheddar adds a satisfying savoury note with just a hint of sweetness. However, feel free to experiment with other cheeses such as Wensleydale or Cheshire, or even Swiss, Jack, Gruyere, or Gouda—any variety that melts well will do!

To assemble the dish, start by piling the gooey, cheesy mash into a greased casserole dish. Then, sprinkle on a generous layer of fried onion rings. Finally, bake the pie in the oven until the cheese is melted and golden.

This mouthwatering creation, with its combination of crispy fried onions, creamy mash, and melted cheese, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve it as a comforting side dish or a hearty main course, perhaps with a colourful salad, steamed green vegetables, or even some crispy onions on the side for extra crunch!

Chopped bacon in the mash

Adding chopped bacon to the mash in a cheese and potato pie is a great way to make the dish more of a filling, hearty meal. This is a perfect option if you want to serve it as a main course, rather than a side dish.

To make the cheesy mash with bacon, simply fry the bacon until cooked and then add it to the mash. You can also include chopped onions in the mix, for added flavour and texture. Fry the onions on a medium-low heat until they are soft and golden, and then stir them through the mash with the bacon.

The beauty of this combination is that you can serve it as a complete meal, perhaps with some vegetables on the side. It's a great, easy option for a family dinner and can be made ahead of time, too. Simply cover and store in the fridge until you're ready to reheat and serve.

For an extra special touch, you could top the pie with some crispy onions or a sprinkling of breadcrumbs, for added texture and flavour. This will give the dish a professional finish and take it to the next level.

Crispy breadcrumbs on top

Adding breadcrumbs to a cheese and potato pie is a great way to add a crunchy texture to the dish. This can be a nice contrast to the creamy, cheesy mash inside.

To make crispy breadcrumbs, start by choosing a type of bread. White or brown bread will work, but ideally, you want something with a firm texture that will crisp up nicely. Cut the bread into small, even cubes, removing the crusts if you prefer. You can also tear the bread into rough pieces for a more rustic look.

Next, heat a generous glug of olive oil or butter in a frying pan over medium heat. You want enough fat to coat all the breadcrumbs, so adjust the amount as needed. Once the oil is hot, add the breadcrumbs and fry, stirring often, until they are golden brown and crispy. This should only take a few minutes, so keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

Finally, sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top of your cheese and potato pie before baking. The breadcrumbs will add a nice crunch and a subtle toasted flavour to the dish.

For an extra flavour boost, you can also try adding some herbs or spices to the breadcrumbs. For example, thyme, rosemary, or garlic powder would all work well. You could also try grated cheese on top of the breadcrumbs, for an extra cheesy kick.

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