Beef and Oyster pie

Prepare

1. 🥄Season the beef cubes with salt and black pepper.

Cook

1. 🔥Heat a tablespoon of oil in the frying pan and fry the meat over a high heat.

Steps

1. 🧂Do this in three batches so that you don’t overcrowd the pan, transferring the meat to a large flameproof casserole dish once it is browned all over.
2. 🍳Add extra oil if the pan seems dry.

Cook

1. 🍳In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil and cook the shallots for 4-5 minutes, then add the garlic and fry for 30 seconds.
2. 🫇Add the bacon and fry until slightly browned.

Prepare

1. 🫇Transfer the onion and bacon mixture to the casserole dish and add the herbs.
2. 🍽️Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

Cook

1. 🍽️Pour the stout into the frying pan and bring to the boil, stirring to lift any stuck-on browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Steps

1. 🌿Pour the stout over the beef in the casserole dish and add the stock.
2. ✨Cover the casserole and place it in the oven for 1½-2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the sauce is reduced.
3. 🥄Skim off any surface fat, taste and add salt and pepper if necessary, then stir in the cornflour paste.

Cook

1. ✨Put the casserole dish on the hob – don’t forget that it will be hot – and simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until thickened.

Steps

1. 🥄Leave to cool.
2. 🔥Increase the oven to 200C/400F/Gas
3. 🧂To make the pastry, put the flour and salt in a very large bowl.
4. 🍳Grate the butter and stir it into the flour in three batches.

Prepare

1. 🔥Gradually add 325ml/11fl oz cold water – you may not need it all – and stir with a round-bladed knife until the mixture just comes together.

Steps

1. 🧂Knead the pastry lightly into a ball on a lightly floured surface and set aside 250g/9oz for the pie lid.
2. 🍳Roll the rest of the pastry out until about 2cm/¾in larger than the dish you’re using.
3. 🫇Line the dish with the pastry then pile in the filling, tucking the oysters in as well.
4. 🍽️Brush the edge of the pastry with beaten egg.
5. 🌿Roll the remaining pastry until slightly larger than your dish and gently lift over the filling, pressing the edges firmly to seal,
6. ✨then trim with a sharp knife.
7. 🥄Brush with beaten egg to glaze.

Cook

1. 🍳Put the dish on a baking tray and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden-brown and the filling is bubbling.