Steak And Pigeon Pie Recipes

Steps:

• To make the filling, heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat half the oil in a large casserole dish, brown the meat really well in batches, then set aside. Add the onions adding a drizzle more oil, then cook on a low heat for 5 mins until coloured.
• Scatter over the flour, stirring until the flour turns brown. Tip the meat and any juices back into the pan along with the ketchup and give it all a good stir. Pour over the stock, season, and bring to a simmer then cover with a lid and put in the oven for about 2 hrs, until the meat is tender. The filling can be made up to three days ahead and chilled or frozen for up to three months.
• To make the pie, heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Tip the filling into a 24-26cm rimmed pie dish and brush the rim of the dish with some yolk. Unravel the pastry, drape over the dish and use a knife to trim and press the edges against the side of the dish. Re-roll your trimmings to make a decoration if you like. Brush the pie heavily with egg yolk. Make a few little slits in the centre of the pie and bake for 40 mins until golden. Leave to stand for a few minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Bring a pan of water to the boil, cook the cabbage leaves for 1 min, then drain and place in cold water. Once cool, drain and pat dry with kitchen paper.
• Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan. Sear the pigeon for about 30 secs on each side until browned, then transfer to a plate and set aside the pan as is. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
• When the pigeon has rested, make 4 parcels by sandwiching 2 breasts together, wrapping them tightly in the cabbage leaves, then criss-crossing 2 slices of pancetta over the parcel to secure. Set aside.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry until it's the thickness of a £1 coin. Cut out 4 x 12cm circles and place on a greased baking tray. Sit a cabbage parcel in the middle of each circle. Roll the pastry trimmings out again and cut out 4 more circles about 16cm in diameter. Brush the edges of the pastry on the tray with the beaten egg, then drape over the larger circles and pat them round to make a large 'ravioli', trying to expel any air. With a fork, push the sides together. Brush the pies generously with egg, poke a small airhole in the top of each, then sprinkle with salt flakes, if you like. Bake the pies for 20 mins until the pastry is dark golden. Remove and leave to rest for 10 mins.
• Meanwhile, make your gravy. Put the pan with the pigeon cooking juices back on the heat and sizzle the shallot until golden. Stir in the flour and cook for a few mins until sandy. Add the blackberries and cassis (if using), Port and wine, then bubble down. Add the stock and simmer for a few mins until you have a gravy. Set aside and reheat when the pies are ready. To serve, carefully carve each pie in half so you see the cross section of breast, and serve with a little of the sauce poured around.

Steps:

• Remove the rind from the bacon and cut the bacon into thin strips. Brown in a heavy casserole, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• Add the pigeon, brown lightly and drain on paper towels. Add the beef strips, brown and remove to drain.
• Carefully brown the vegetables without burning and remove. Stir in the flour, cook for half a minute (without burning), and then add the stock, wine and tomato puree. Bring to boil, scraping up the coagulated cooking juices in the bottom of the casserole.
• Return the meat and vegetables to the casserole, along with the garlic, thyme and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cover and cook until tender, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. (This dish may be cooked on top of the stove or in a preheated 300-degree oven.) Allow to cool and skim off any fat that may have risen to the surface.
• Saute the mushrooms in the butter and set aside. Add to the pie filling. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Roll out the pie crust so that it is large enough to cover a 7-cup pie dish - 9 inches across. Turn the filling into the pie dish and cover with the pastry. Brush with the beaten egg and make a few small slashes in the pie lid to allow steam to escape. Bake for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, or until the meat is bubbling and hot and the pastry is cooked.