Recipes
Cook's Tip:
Serve with shredded cabbage or other delicious seasonal greens.
Lamb, leek and potato pie with rosemary pastry
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: Approx 2½ hours
- 1kg (2¼lb) cubed leg lamb, about 2cm (¾") pieces
- 3 tbsp plain flour
- 25g (1oz) Country Life Unsalted English butter
- 30ml (2 tbsp) vegetable oil
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 600ml (1pt) lamb stock
- 3 leeks, thickly sliced
- 400g (14oz) potatoes, peeled and cut into rough 2–3cm chunks
- 250g (9oz) plain flour
- 150g (5oz) Country Life Unsalted English butter, diced
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped rosemary
- 30-45ml (2-3 tbsp) cold water
- 1 egg, beaten
1. Season the pieces of lamb and dust with the flour. Heat the oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and fry the pieces of lamb and one of the leeks in batches, for 3–4 minutes each. Add the rosemary and stock, bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 1½ hours until the lamb is soft and tender. Add the remaining leeks and the potatoes, simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes until the potatoes are cooked and the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat and season to taste. Leave to cool.
2. Make the pastry, place the flour, butter and rosemary in a food processor and process until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. While the processor is still running add enough water to form a smooth dough. Wrap in cling film and chill until ready to use.
3. Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. When the lamb mixture is cool, transfer it to a 1.5–2 litre (2½-3½pt) pie dish. Place a pie funnel in the centre. Roll out the pastry, to make the lid to fit the dish, allowing an extra 2cm (¾") all the way round. Brush the rim of the dish, with some of the egg and lay the pastry over the dish, pressing it on with a fork. Cut a slit in the pastry, over the pie funnel, so the funnel pokes through, to let the steam out. Decorate with any scraps. Brush the top with the remaining egg. Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden.
© 2008 Dairy Crest Limited.