I was informed yesterday morning that my nephews were coming over for dinner and to stay. So as Take away anything is not allowed in my house, I cooked two pies. I was intending to get a good picture of the second one but they got there first, so excuse the picture.
You will need:
1 pound of cheap Steak. Do not use expensive meat as it will disintegrate.
3 Lamb kidneys or 1 beef one.
1 onion finely chopped (optional).
Beef stock. Either homemade or some stock cubes, make a bit extra then reduce that for the gravy! You can add onions to this to make onion gravy. If it does not thicken enough add a teaspoon of cornflour slaked in a tiny bit of cold water.
Good dose of Worcestershire sauce.
Dried or fresh Thyme. Or Mixed herbs, preferably Thyme.
Salt to taste.
Some plain flour to coat the steak.
Shortcrust pastry or your own version of it.
Method.
If you are making your own stock get that on.
If you are using stock cubes get that on as well, but reduce and keep adding water, so it does not get too thick!
Add the herbs and some black pepper to taste to the stock. Add salt last after you have tasted the gravy!
Then a dose of Worcestershire sauce.
Then get a bag add a bit of flour, cut the steak into cubes and put it into the plastic bag, shake well so the flour covers it.
Get an oven pot with a lid, add a tiny bit of oil, about a tablespoon of it.
Add the floured steak and brown, this is what will give it the colour.
Add the onions. stirring well.
Add the chopped kidneys.
Then add the stock about three-quarters the way up the meat, no more.
Put the lid on and place in a pre-heated oven at gas mark 4 to 5 for about 1 and a half to two hours.
If the gravy is too sloppy, place on the top of the stove, when you get it out of the oven.
Remove the lid and reduce the gravy, to the thickness you like.
Place the filling in a pie dish and then place the rolled pastry over the top. Crimp the edges or use a fork.
Put a cross in the middle to let the steam out, egg wash it, any little bits of pastry left make pretty leaves and place around the steam vent.
Place in the oven at gas mark 5-6 for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.
The rest of the stock keep reducing it, and that makes the gravy!
Serve with Mashed potato's and seasonal vegetables.
Lovely on a cold night.
Regards from England.
Neil.
