Legendary Lamb Pie Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the garlic, bay leaf, carrot, celery, onion and oil in a medium skillet and cook, covered, over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Push the vegetables to the perimeter of the pan and add the lamb. Increase the heat to high and cook, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon, until browned all over. Sprinkle with the mustard, 1 teaspoon of the salt and some pepper. Stir until fragrant, 1 minute, then add the tomato paste, fennel seeds and tomato puree and stir again. Cook for 1 minute more. Turn off the heat and stir in the mint and sage. Remove the bay leaf.
• Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover by 2 inches with salted water. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until a knife releases easily from the potatoes when pierced in the center, 12 to 15 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and drain the potatoes. In the same pot, combine the milk, butter, and 1/2 cup of the cooking water and stir together over high heat. Bring to a boil. Mash the potatoes with a masher, then slowly drizzle the hot liquid over the potatoes and stir until light and fluffy. Taste and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon the lamb mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch deep-dish pie plate, spreading it evenly over the bottom. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top, covering completely. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to create a swirled pattern in the potatoes. Bake until the topping turns golden in spots, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Toss the lamb in the flour with some seasoning, then brown it in the dish. Do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the dish (which will cause the meat to steam instead of fry). Take your time to build up a deep brown colour, which will add lots of meaty flavour to the stew. Set the meat aside on a plate as you go.
• Add the remaining oil to the dish along with the onion and garlic. Cook for 5 mins until softened, then stir in the spices, tomatoes, lemon zest and juice, honey and molasses. Fill the tomato can halfway with water, swill around and add this too. Season well, bring to a simmer and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat and cook for 2 hrs 30 mins-3 hrs or until the meat is tender. Leave to cool.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Transfer the meat to a pie dish that's about 25cm wide, or leave it in the casserole if it's wide enough to fit the topping. Unwrap the filo and brush a sheet with butter, scrunch up and place on top of the pie. Continue with the remaining sheets until the tagine is covered. Drizzle any remaining butter over the top and scatter over the almonds, then bake for 45 mins or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Scatter over the pomegranate seeds just before serving.

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium-heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Cook lamb until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add remaining tablespoon oil to the pot. Add onion, celery, and mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in ginger, thyme, cloves, lamb, stock, wine, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer; cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Gently simmer until lamb is tender, about 2 hours. Stir in prunes. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool completely.
• Divide dough in half. Wrap half in plastic; refrigerate until ready to use. Roll out other dough half on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out four 6-inch rounds. Transfer 1 round to each of four 5-inch pie plates. Divide stew among pies. Roll out remaining dough a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out four 7-inch rounds. Randomly punch out circles from rounds with a 1/2 inch round pastry tip (such as Ateco #806). Cover each pie with a round. Tuck edges under; press gently to seal. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk cream and egg yolk in a small bowl. Brush crusts with egg wash. Bake pies on a rimmed baking sheet until crusts are golden brown and juices are bubbling, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 15 minutes.