Best Pub Pies Recipes

BRITISH OPEN TOP STEAK, ALE AND STILTON PUB STYLE PIES

Steps:

• Peel and chop the onions. Cut up the braising steak into small cubes.
• Heat some oil in a large and deep saucepan. Add the onions and sauté gently for about five minutes until soft.
• Add the meat and cook to seal.
• Add the flour and stir in to meat juices.
• Continue to cook to cook out the flour, adding the beer gradually to prevent sticking to the pan until all the beer has been added.
• Add beef stock cubes, salt and pepper to taste and stir until dissolved.
• Add water to thin down the gravy. The amount will vary according to how much juice has come out of the meat so add gradually until the right consistency is achieved.
• Add the English mustard and mix well.
• Once boiling reduce the heat, cover and simmer very gently for at least two hours.
• Allow to cool slightly.
• Pre-heat oven to 210C/425°F.
• Roll out the ready made shortcrust pastry and line 4 individual pie moulds with it - I used a Yorkshire pudding tin - the diameter of the moulds in the tin was 5" - or use individual aluminium pie containers.
• Line each pastry round with greaseproof paper and bake blind for about 5 - 10 minutes; using baking beans or heavy beans to keep the pastry flat.
• Remove the greaseproof paper and beans; divide the steak in ale mixture between the 4 pies.
• Mix the Stilton cheese into the ready-made and well seasoned mashed potato and pile on top of the steak and pastry bases.
• Place a knob of butter on top of each mashed potato topping and bake in the oven for about 10 - 15 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and the potato and Stilton cheese topping is golden brown & bubbling.
• Serve with extra ale gravy if desired and seasonal vegetables - OR allow to cool, wrap and take on a picnic!
• You can prepare and part cook your Steak and Ale Pie on the one day and then complete the cooking on the following day which will allow the flavours to come out even more.
• Suggested Ales: Theakson's Old Peculiar; Old Speckled Hen; Hobgoblin Strong Dark Ale; Hooky Dark.

PUB PIES

Steps:

• Also need 10 straight sided, deep individual foil pans.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a skillet cook onion in the butter until browned.
• Mix in garlic and brandy and continue cooking until most of the liquid has cooked away.
• Using the fine blade of a food processor grind pork well-you should end up with 4 cups.
• Add the onion mixture along with the eggs, parsley, salt, thyme, allspice and pepper; combine well.
• Pastry: In a large bowl combine flour and salt.
• Cut in butter and lard, continuing until mixture is crumbly and forms coarse crumbs.
• Beat egg in a measuring cup, mix in cold water to make 2/3 cup.
• Add egg mixture to flour mixture 2 tbsp at a time and mix with a fork.
• Using your hands form into 2 balls, 1 large and 1 small (2 to 1 ratio) On a floured board roll out the larger ball of pastry to around 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut into 5 inch circles and press them into the foil baking pans-the pans should be around 3 inches in diameter and 1 1/2 inches deep-Divide pork into the 10 lined pans.
• Roll out remaining pastry and cut it into 3&1/2 inch circles, making a small hole in the center of each for venting.
• Cover pork filling with top crusts, moistening edges and pressing them to seal.
• Brush top with egg.
• Place on a foil lined baking sheet and bake until well browned-around 1 1/2 hours.
• Let stand for 5 minutes before serving or cool completely and freeze.

MEAT AND MUSHROOM PUB PIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to 6-inch square. Using a sharp knife, cut into twelve 1/2-inch strips.
• In a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, brown beef, mushrooms, and onion until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle mixture with thyme and flour. Add beef broth and steak sauce; cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Stir in peas. Spoon mixture into individual casserole dishes about 5 inches in diameter.
• Arrange two pastry strips in a wide X over each casserole. Place a third strip across the center. Press overhangs firmly to sides of casseroles to seal.
• Bake until pastry is puffed and golden brown, about 12 minutes.