Tuna Mornay

Ingredient:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 bay leaf
1onion slice
5 whole black peppercorns
60 g butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 stick celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup plain flour
425 g can tuna, drained, flaked, juice reserved
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup cream
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup grates cheddar cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese, extra paprika, to taste
- Preheat oven to moderate 180o C. In a small pan heat milk, bay leaf, onion slice and peppercorns. Bring to boil; remove from heat, cover, and let stand to infuse for 15 minutes. Strain and reserve milk.
- Heat butter in medium pan, add finely chopped onion and celery. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Add flour and stir for 1 minute until mixture is bubbly. Add combined reserved milk and tuna juice gradually; stir constantly over low heat until mixture boils and thickens. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Add nutmeg, cream, finely chopped parsley and grated cheese. Stir 2 minutes until cheese is melted. Remove from heat; add flaked tuna and salt and pepper; stir to combine.
- Spoon mixture into a 3 cup greased ovenproof dish. Sprinkle top with the combines breadcrumbs, extra grated cheese and paprika. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and place dish under preheated grill for 2 minutes to brown the breadcrumb mixture.

NOTE : Mornay may be made several hours ahead, refrigerated, and reheated. It may be used as a filling for pancakes or pastry cases.
VARIATION : You may use canned salmon, if preferred.
Preparation time: 15 minutes + standing
Total cooking time: 35 minutes
Serves 4
