Steak and Ale Pie

A classic hearty pie featuring tender braised beef and vegetables in a rich ale gravy topped with buttery pastry.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 1287.7 kcals 5150.8 kcals
Carbohydrates 55.1 grams 220.4 grams
Fat 85.1 grams 340.5 grams
Protein 71.3 grams 285.2 grams
Cook Time
120 mins
Produces
4 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

CondimentsSauces
Dairy
250
g
Unsalted Butter
cold but not rock hard; used for pastry
1
piece
Free-Range Egg
beaten, for glaze
1
knob
Butter
for frying mushrooms
GrainsCereals
225
g
Plain Flour
plus extra for rolling
3
tbsp
Plain Flour
for coating meat
Liquids
150
ml
Water
ice-cold
300
ml
300
ml
Beef Stock
good quality
Meat
1
kg
Braising Steak
cut into matchbox-sized pieces
NutsSeeds
0.5
tsp
Salt
fine
1
piece
Salt
for seasoning
1
piece
Black Pepper
freshly ground, for seasoning
2
clove
Garlic
chopped into chunky pieces
1
piece
Bay Leaf
fresh or dried
1
handful
Thyme
fresh sprigs
OilsFats
3
tbsp
Vegetables
2
piece
Onion
chopped into chunky pieces
250
g
Carrot
chopped into chunky pieces
2
stick
Celery
chopped into chunky pieces
500
g
Mushroom
Chestnut or white, cut into halves or quarters

Steps

  • Sift flour and salt into a bowl and chill in the fridge.
  • Cube the cold butter.
  • Stir butter into the flour until pieces are well coated.
  • Add water and mix rapidly with a knife to form a rough dough.
  • Shape into a flat cylinder without kneading, wrap in film, and chill for 15 minutes.
  • Roll pastry into a 45x15cm rectangle about 1cm thick.
  • Fold the bottom third up and the top third down into a square.
  • Rotate the dough 90 degrees and seal edges with a rolling pin.
  • Repeat the rolling and folding process four times.
  • Chill the finished pastry for at least one hour or overnight.
  • Toss the beef with flour, salt, and pepper in a bag.
  • Brown half the beef in oil for 10 minutes in a hot casserole.
  • Remove beef, deglaze the pan with ale, and brown the remaining beef.
  • Sauté chopped garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and herbs in oil until soft.
  • Add meat, stock, ale, purée, and vinegar, then simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours.
  • Cool the filling completely, ideally overnight.
  • Fry mushrooms in butter until golden and stir into the filling.
  • Preheat oven to 200°C and roll out pastry to cover the dish.
  • Brush the edge of the pie dish with water or egg.
  • Place the pastry lid over the filling and press to seal.
  • Pattern the edges with a knife to encourage puffing.
  • Slit the top for steam and brush with beaten egg.
  • Chill the pie for 10 minutes until firm.
  • Bake for 30 minutes until the pastry is golden and filling bubbles.