This is a twist on a classic steak and ale pie, swapping out the chunks of beef for mixed, diced game – this could include venison, wild boar, partridge and pheasant pieces
Ingreadient
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 sticks celery, diced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 500g (order from a butcher) mixed diced game meat
- 3 tbsp plain flour, well seasoned
- 500ml stout
- 350ml chicken stock
- 100g prunes, destoned and chopped in half
- 200g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- 100g shredded suet
- 1 egg yolk, for glazing
Direction
- Heat the oil in a casserole over a medium heat and fry the vegetables, garlic and herbs until golden, then scoop out onto a plate. Toss the game meat in the seasoned flour and brown in batches, until really golden, then scoop out onto a plate.
- Pour in the stout and scrape all the chewy bits off the bottom of the casserole with a wooden spoon. Add the stock and prunes, along with the browned meat and vegetables, lower the heat and cook gently for 2 hours or until the meat is very tender. Tip into a pie dish and cool.
- For the pastry, mix the flour and suet together in a large bowl. Add 100-120ml of cold water and a good pinch of salt, and work by hand until the dough comes together – don’t overwork it and let it become sticky. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured worksurface until a little bigger than the pie dish. Drape over, then crimp to seal. Brush with a little beaten egg then put into the oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on top.
