Herring Pie from Kiki's Delivery Service: the Ghibli Recipe

Herring Pie from Kiki's Delivery Service: the Ghibli Recipe

In Kiki's Delivery Service, Kiki delivers a herring and pumpkin pie, but the grandmother recipient is away and the granddaughter doesn't like it. It's a touching scene about how even the best dishes aren't to everyone's taste.

History and origin

Herring pie is a classic of European — especially Scandinavian and British — home cooking. Studio Ghibli deliberately chose an unglamorous, humble dish to underline the theme of labour and acceptance at the heart of the story.

Key ingredients

The pie needs shortcrust or puff pastry, herring fillets (or mackerel as a substitute), pumpkin, onion and cream. The filling is braised with herbs, finished with a cream sauce and baked under a pastry lid.

How to cook at home

Soak the herring in milk for 30 minutes before adding it to the filling — this softens the sharp smell and taste. Dice the pumpkin small so it cooks through together with the filling.

Try this recipe at home — it's much easier than it looks and will make you feel part of your favourite universe.