Best Steak and Ale Pie - A Delicious and Comforting Recipe

Nothing quite beats a hearty steak and ale pie. This traditional British dish is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter night. Rich and flavourful, its savoury filling is encased in a flaky, golden crust. While it takes a bit of time to prepare, it's well worth the effort.

Ingredients

For the filling, you'll need:

2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 large onion, diced
500g of diced beef
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3 tablespoons of plain flour
1 tablespoon of tomato paste
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
500ml of dark ale
500ml of beef stock
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the pastry, you'll need:

500g of plain flour
250g of butter, cubed
3 tablespoons of cold water
1 teaspoon of salt

Instructions

Start by making the pastry. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, butter and salt until it resembles breadcrumbs. Slowly add the water, stirring constantly, until the pastry forms a ball. Wrap in cling film and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

To make the filling, heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the beef and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes. Sprinkle over the flour and stir to combine. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaf and cook for another minute.

Pour in the ale and stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has thickened and the beef is tender. Add the parsley, season with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.

When the filling and pastry are both cool, preheat the oven to 180C and lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish. Roll out the pastry to a thickness of about 3mm and line the pie dish. Pour in the filling, gently pressing the beef down. Cut a cross in the centre of the pastry and place it over the top of the filling. Crimp the edges and brush with beaten egg.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Leave to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

This steak and ale pie is a great source of protein, with each serving providing about 28g. It's also a good source of fibre, with 4g per serving, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. However, it is high in fat and calories, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.

One serving of this delicious steak and ale pie contains approximately:

489 calories
28g of protein
25g of fat
4g of fibre
4.7mg of iron
146mg of calcium
2.3mg of zinc

Enjoy this traditional British dish with a side of your favourite vegetables or a crisp green salad. It's sure to be a hit with family and friends alike!