British Meat Pie, A Great Meal for a Cold Day

 My gang took off for a football game on Sunday.  It was cold and raining and I knew they would be really ready for a good hot meal when they returned.

 I decided that a classic British meat pie was needed. This is a very hearty meal and perfect to warm up your heart and soul.

 Begin buy making enough pie crust to fill a large rectangular pan.  I made 4 regular sized crusts. Saute' a diced onion in some bacon grease or oil.

 I browned some pancetta and used the grease from it to saute the onion.

 Cut up some carrots, celery, turnips and parsnips into small dice and cook just until they begin to soften.

 Add 2 pounds of ground beef and cook, breaking it up until it is browned.

 Add a couple tablespoons of granulated garlic, the diced cooked pancetta, some diced fresh parsley, sage rosemary and thyme. Salt and pepper to taste.

 Add about 5 tablespoons of tomato paste and a few diced anchovies.  Add 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.

 Add about 2 cups of beef stock and 2 tubs of Knorr's concentrated beef stock.

 Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of flour.

 Add several tablespoons of Maggi.

 Stir until it begins to thicken and set it aside to cool.

Make some mashed potatoes and keep them warm.

Line a heavy large rectangular pan with some of your dough.

Once the filling cools, spoon it into the pan.  Cover with a top crust.

Crimp the edges.

Brush with a beaten egg and a bit of water.

Bake at 350 degrees until the crust turns golden.  It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Let rest while you make some buttered peas.

Serve squares of it with the potatoes and peas and ladle rich gravy over it.  If you need the gravy recipe you can find it here:  http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/returning-guests-and-gravy.html
The gang was very happy to see this when they came home.