GOURMET TRAVELLER 71
Usingshortcrustpastry forthebase
makes iteasierto handle,especially
wheneatingindividualpies.Abase
isn’tnecessary fora largepie,butwill
add a good ratio of pastry to filling.
PASTRYBASE
400 gmplainflour
200 gmchilledunsalted
butter,diced
1 tspsalt
1½ tsp white vinegar
1
Combineflour,butterandsalt
ina foodprocessorandpulse
untilit resemblesfinecrumbswith
no lumps left. Combine vinegar
with60mlwaterandaddtoflour
mixture.Pulsea coupleof times
untila doughforms.
2
Shapedoughintoa discabout
2cmthick,wrapinplastic
wrapandrefrigerateovernight.
3
Bringdoughtoroom
temperature(20minutes),then
rollouttoa 4mm-thickround.If
makingindividualpies,cutrounds
about 1cm larger than pie tins.
TOASSEMBLE
1 quantitypastrybasedough
½ quantitypuffpastrydough
1 quantitybeef-cheekfilling
1 eggwhiskedwith1 yolkand
80ml (⅓ cup) milk, for eggwash
1
Preheatovento200°C.Line
a 25cm-28cmpietin(seenote)
withpastrybasedough,pressing
wellintothesides.Fillwithchilled
beef-cheekfilling.Brushedgeof
pastrywitheggwashandtopwith
puffpastrylid.Piercea holeinthe
centretoallowsteamtoescape.
Trimedges,pressalltheway
aroundtoseal,andbrushtop
witheggwash.Usetrimmings
tocreatedecorationsandbrush
witheggwashagain.Bakeuntil
pieis deepgolden,pastryis
cookedthroughandfillingis
hot (40-45 minutes).
NoteThebestpie
tinsaremade
ofmetal– they
producea crisp
base– butceramic
canalsobeused.
If you’remaking
individualpies,bear
in mindthecooking
time will vary.