Scotch Pies and a Chow on Ice

Very early this morning I caught Teddy napping on a pile of ice.


She looks annoyed to be disturbed from her nap. Even with a shaved chest and tummy, she still loves the snow.


I bought a couple pounds of ground lamb and decided to make Scotch pies.


I think of all the different pies I make, I like these best. You can addd almost anything you want to this recipe. I bind it with a few eggs and here I have added some spices like cumin, oregano and thyme.


Then I added diced onions.


A package of spinach.


A bunch of pine nuts.


And some feta cheese. Then I made a hot water dough which I forgot to photograph.




I oiled the bottoms and sides of some jelly jars.


And cut strips of parchment paper and string.


Then I molded the dough around the jars and put a strip of parchment paper around them and tied them with string.



When you slide them off of the jars they look like this.



Then I scooped in some filling.


You pat the meat in tight. These should be dense.


After filling them, you cut rounds out of the dough and place them on top.


You crimp them around the edges and place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet.



Then you punch a hole in the middle of each pie to allow steam to escape.


They bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour.


This is such a good and easy way to make gravy. Chop up a bunch of vegetables. Use what you have on hand. I used carrots, onions, celery and turnips. Throw them in a heavy pan with some olive oil and let them cook over medium high heat for at least 30 minutes stirring occasionally. You want the vegetables to be very brown. This gives your gravy flavor. Once they have browned sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir around for a few minutes.


Add a cup and a half of red wine. Add about 6 cups of stock. Let this mixture boil until it starts to thicken. Then pour this through a sieve and return the gravy to the pot.


Look how this glistens. Continue to cook it down until it becomes a bit thicker. Taste it and add salt and pepper to taste.


What cute little pies.


Ladle the gravy in a soup bowl and place a Scotch pie on top.


Yummers! I made 16 of these little babies.


Then I packaged them all up with their little gravy containers and waved goodbye.