Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Definitive British Meat Pie

Since I am gone all day today I decided to post my latest cooking endeavor. I can't make enough of these pies. I have never liked meat pies and don't care much for peas but here I am, obsessed with pies and even eating peas. Forget about any horrible frozen pot pie or pot pies made with store bought gravies and frozen vegetables. These have nothing in common with those. When made with good-quality ground steak and the right mixture of flavorings and pastry crust, this is delicious and one of the truly great pies. I am not going to bore you by writing out the whole recipe. If anyone really wants it after seeing all the steps it takes to get to the final picture, just let me know. At least scroll down to have a look at the finished dish.



I add pancetta for extra flavor.




















I made a roasted vegetable gravy to serve on the side.






While the gravy is cooking I work with the pastry.


These tray baked pies use a lot of pastry.





The gravy is almost ready.


I always make my mashed potatoes from baked potatoes. I bake them first and scoop them out then mash them. You get a much richer potato flavor than when they are boiled.


The gravy is strained through a sieve before serving.






Ahhhhh....

*I am off to market. Tomorrow I will post pics of the trip!

A Walk in My Woods

Now that most of the leaves are down, I can see my daughter's house through the trees. Click on any of the following for a better look.



There is a lot of interesting bark in my woods.


A few that haven't fallen.


Pods abound.


The black locust gazebo will one day return to the earth.


The Weeping Beech is bare.


The millstone has been shut down for winter.


Piles of leaves everywhere.




The Japanese Maples are beautiful without leaves.


A colorful leaf carpet on the patio.


These antique Argentinian cedar doors lead to the vegetable garden.


Small witch weathervane.


Roses continue to bloom.


The potting shed is closed for winter.


All is quiet by the pond.


There is still a bit of color in this room.


Heading back home.

*I am on a road trip tomorrow so my post will be late.