How To Make Steak And Ale Pie

Ingredients

To make an unbeatable steak and ale pie, you will need the following ingredients:
1 lb. stewing steak, cut into chunks

2 tablespoons of plain flour

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

2 sticks of celery, chopped

1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme

2 tablespoons of tomato purée

1/2 pint of strong ale or stout

1/2 pint of beef stock

2 bay leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the pastry:

12 oz. plain flour

1 teaspoon of salt

6 oz. butter, cubed

3-4 tablespoons of cold water.

Instructions

To create this classic dish, you will need to follow these steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Place the steak in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, then toss with the flour.
3. Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium-high heat. Add the steak and fry for around 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
4. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery and thyme to the pan and cook for around 5 minutes, until softened.
5. Add the tomato purée and cook for a further 2 minutes.
6. Pour in the ale or stout and simmer for a few minutes.
7. Add the beef stock, bay leaves and the steak and simmer for around 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
8. Remove the bay leaves.
9. To make the pastry, sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Rub in the butter using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add enough cold water to form a dough.
10. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 9-inch pie dish.
11. Fill the pastry case with the steak and ale filling.
12. Roll out the remaining pastry and place on top of the pie. Trim the edges and crimp to seal.
13. Make a few small holes in the top of the pastry with a knife and brush with a little beaten egg.
14. Bake in the oven for around 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden-brown and the filling is bubbling.
15. Serve with mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetables.

Nutrition

This steak and ale pie is packed full of flavour and nutrition. The beef provides an excellent source of protein, while the ale and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals. The pastry topping provides carbohydrates, as well as some additional fat. A single serving of this pie contains around 600 calories, and is an excellent meal to enjoy on a cold winter’s evening.

Tips and Tricks

When making this pie, it is important to ensure that the filling is cooked through. To test for doneness, insert a knife into the centre of the pie and check that the steak is cooked through. If you are short on time, you can use ready-made pastry for the top of the pie, which will save you some time and effort. This dish can also be frozen, so you can make a large batch and freeze it for another day.

Conclusion

Steak and ale pie is a classic British dish that is full of flavour and nutrition. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed on its own, or with a side of mashed potatoes and vegetables. With the right ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious steak and ale pie that will be sure to impress your family and friends.