Beef and ale pie with Wildcraft Blackberry Stout

We were lucky enough to be able to get our hands on some Wagyu beef, locally from the Worstead Estate for this recipe. The marbelling is amazing and the meat so succulent, it makes this pie sublime! The Blackberry Stout pairs beautifully and adds depth of flavour and a slight bramble edge which freshens the dish.

You will need some time for this recipe as the secret is the slow cooking of the beef to make it fall apart and melt in the mouth. This pie also has a complete pastry shell, we know some people are scared to do this and opt for the pastry topping option as the bottom can go soggy, but don’t fear, when you get it right, it’s so worth the work. © Freya Deal

SERVINGS 4

PREP TIME 30 minutes

COOK TIME 4 hours

Ingredients

Method

FOR THE FILLING

1. Chop beef into medium size chunks and slice the onions
2. Pre-Heat over to 140c
3. Brown the beef in batches, in a heavy casserole dish, to ensure even browning across the batch
4. Remove the meat from the dish and soften the onion on a low heat for around 5 mins until almost transparent but not browned. Add the garlic and soften for another 2 mins.
5. Add a tablespoon of plain flour, stir through the onions and garlic for a few minutes. Add the meat back into the dish with the teaspoon of mixed herbs. Stir and add the beer and stock.
6. Stir, ensuring the glaze on the bottom of the dish is lifted. Bring to a simmer, add the fresh herbs and put a lid on. Place in the over for 2 hours.
7. Just before the end of the cooking period, cut the mushrooms, fry in the butter, remove the casserole dish, add the mushrooms and allow to cool (This can all be done the day before or well in advance. the flavours will build)

FOR THE PASTRY

1. Rub the flour into the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs
2. Slowly add cold water and mix until a dough is formed.
3. Place in the fridge for 30 mins or an hour if you can

CONSTRUCTING THE PIE

1. When ready, grease a pie dish, cut off a third of the pastry to keep for the topping and roll the rest to line the pie dish.
2. Place some heat proof beads on top of your pastry lined dish and blind bake for 20 minutes at 180c.
3. Remove from the oven and allow to cool
4. Add the filling and roll out the top pastry.  Brush some egg wash on the rim of the bottom pastry and place the top on the pie. Brush with egg wash.
5. Place in the oven and cook for a further 40 minutes.

With thanks to Wild Craft Brewing