Pies over Xmas and new Year

Over Christmas I had three types of pie. First I had an individual chicken pie from Morrisons.  Second, I had some of a large Fish Pie.  The Fish Pie was made by my Mum, using a mixture of fish pieces bought from a door-to-door fishmonger; it had a mashed potato top.  Thirdly, (on Boxing Day), I had some Banoffee Pie, which I was told is Scottish.   Over New Year I didn’t have any pie, strictly speaking.  But I did have some Trifle, which is pie-like as it is made in layers (like the Fish Pie) with a top layer sealing it off (again, like the Fish Pie, except cream instead of potato); I also had some Apple Tart, which was like an upside down pie, with the pastry on the bottom.  I was present when someone else had a pie, however.  Tony had two meat pies, like pasties, with smooth pastry and a frilled edge; they were served together in a stew bowl with Bovril Gravy (now made from yeast extract).  The serving reminded me of how pies are served in Pie and Mash Shops – a large shallow bowl is used and the pie (or pies) are put slightly to one side in it; then the mash is spatula-ed onto the bowl, partially on the pie and smeared across the bowl so it is also partially on the lip of the bowl; then the remaining space in the bowl is filled with green pie liquor.