After a day battling the elements in the field, some proper, British comfort food by the Aga is required. Mary Berry's steak and ale pie is difficult to beat
As the temperatures starting dropping, we’re hankering after some proper, British comfort food. Mary Berry’s steak and ale pie is difficult to beat. Enjoy baking hot straight from the oven, with a generous side of mash and greens.
You can’t go far wrong with one of Mary Berry’s recipes. If you have a big bag to use up and a house full of guests to feed, try Mary Berry’s raised game pie.
MARY BERRY’S STEAK AND ALE PIE
Taken from The Complete AGA Cookbook.
Serves 4-6
- 2–3 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 500g (1 lb 2 oz) stewing steak, cubed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 × 500ml (18 fl oz) bottle of local ale
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 225g (8 oz) button mushrooms, quartered
- 280g (10 oz) all-butter puff pastry
- Beaten egg, to glaze
You will need 4–6 individual pie dishes or 1 large 1.75 litre (3 pint) pie dish.
Measure the oil into a pan. Add the steak and quick fry on the Boiling Plate until browned – you may need to do this in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Tip the onion into the pan and fry for a few minutes. Add the flour, stir and cook for a minute, then slowly stir in the ale. Return the meat to the pan, season and add the mushrooms. Bring to the boil, cover with a lid and transfer to the floor of the Simmering Oven for about 2 hours, or until the meat is tender. Turn into a pie dish and leave to cool.
Roll out the pastry to cover the top and then glaze with the beaten egg.
BAKING IN AN AGA
Place on the grid shelf on the floor of the Roasting Oven and cook for 20–25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the meat heated through.
BAKING IN A CONVENTIONAL OVEN
Brown the meat in a non-stick frying pan on the hob, then cook slowly in an oven preheated to 160°C/Fan 140°C/Gas 3 with the other ingredients for about 2 hours or until tender. Assemble the pie, increase the temperature to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas 7 and cook for about 20–25 minutes.