Pies!!!

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Ok, now on to today's idea! Pies! There are several reasons why I love the idea of pies. Firstly, you can make a very healthy version of the humble pie rather than the typical fatty meat pie. Secondly, you can make individual pies or you can make one large family style pie and share it from the middle of the table (my fav). And thirdly, there are so many different filling you can use depending on your mood. See, they are a great idea for so many reasons and not to mention they are SO easy to make.

One other thing I like to do with pies is to have fun with the pastry! If you are making individual pies, maybe write each person's name or initials on the top with the pastry or if making a pie for a loved one, why not pop a pastry love heart on the top!!! Cooking and meal times are about having fun so go on, do it!

Below I have listed 2 'types' of filling but I would love to hear which type of fillings you enjoy.

Ingredients for a chicken, mushroom and leek pie.

• Chicken fillets (I always use fillets rather than breasts - as breasts can become dry)
• Leeks
• Butter
• Cream
• White wine
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Carrot
• Celery
• Potato
• Puff Pastry
• 1 Egg

Ingredients for a beef, mushroom and red wine pie.

• Dice beef
• Flour
• Butter
• Beef stock
• Red wine
• Garlic
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Potato
• Tomato paste
• Puff pastry
• 1 Egg

Basic method

Obviously each pie's cooing methods vary slightly but they all have the same idea.

• Whether you are using chicken or beef you need to brown off your meat first in oil and butter.
• If cooking beef, please coat your beef with flour first. This will help brown your meat and help with thickening your sauce.
• Take your meat out to rest while you sweat off all of your vegies and mushrooms.
• Then it is simply a matter of adding your meat back in and cooking it down with all the vegies and red/white wine, cream/beef stock etc - depending on which pie you are making.
• You can make your filling as thick or light as you like. 
• Pop filling either into individual ramekins or one large pie dish.
• Cover top of pie with pastry, egg wash and pop in a hot oven. Remember that the inside ingredients are already cooked so once your pastry is golden brown, it is ready!!!!

There are really are so many types of filling you can use but hopefully this is a start to give you a few ideas. You could also try a fish pie, lamb shank pie, vegetarian pie...............

AND DON'T FORGET TO DECORATE YOUR PASTRY FOR A BIT OF FUN!