Authentic Scotch Pie Food

AUTHENTIC SCOTCH PIE RECIPE

Steps:

• Start by oiling the pie tins with a little vegetable oil, or put cling film over the end of the glasses/jars you intend to use.
• Put the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the middle.
• Cut the lard into cubes and add to a small pot of hot water, stirring until it's melted. Don't allow the water to boil.
• Pour the mixture into the flour well and mix together with a wooden spoon, until it's mostly combined. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead a little to make sure it's fully combined. As the hot water pastry cools it becomes harder to manage so you need to work reasonably quickly.
• Divide the pastry into 4 balls and then take a little from each ball to save for the pie lid. Between a quarter to a third depending on the size of the pies you're making.
• Roll out the pastry balls to about 5mm thickness one by one and put them into the pie tins, ensuring there is a flat even edge to the top of the sides of the pie. We rolled to approximately 20cm each for our 10cm tins. If you're using a jar or glass then drape the pastry over and cut around it to ensure it has a flat edge where the top of the pie casing will be.
• Roll out the lids and put them on cling film or baking paper on a tray. The lids will need to fit inside of the pie casing so you'll want to make sure they are not the exact size of the tins/cases but slightly smaller.
• Put all of the pastry in the fridge to harden.
• In the meantime, finely chop one small onion and fry in a pan. Add the mace and mixed herbs, and then put in a bowl with the minimum amount of stock/gravy.
• Once cooled add to the lamb and mix through. Add additional stock/gravy if the mixture isn't too wet. You don't want there to be too much liquid as it will leak out of the pie while cooking and make the pastry soggy.
• Divide the lamb mixture up and fill the pie cases about 3/4 full.
• Push the pie lids down into the pie casing, so they are around 1cm from the top of the pie.
• Cut a small hole in the top of the pies to let the air escape.
• Put the pies in the oven for around 45 minutes at 180°C or 356°F. Check at 35/40 minutes as you want the pastry to be just golden-brown.
• You can remove from the tins as soon as they're cool enough to handle.

SCOTTISH MEAT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F and put a kettle of water on to boil.
• Place one pie crust in a deep-style pie pan. Prick crust with a fork several times and bake for 5-10 minutes.
• In a large skillet with deep sides, sauté ground beef/lamb with onions. Season well with Lawry's, salt and pepper.
• Mix well to combine.
• When beef loses its pink color, stir in oats and beef broth or bullion cube. Then cover mixture entirely with boiling water. Simmer mixture for 10-15 minutes until water is mostly gone. Then stir in Worcestershire Sauce, dry mustard and spices.
• Spoon the mixture into the partially baked pie crust and dot the top of the filling with diced butter. Place top crust on filling, crimp sides, vent crust, and bake for 1 to 1-1/4 hours. Make sure crust is slightly browned.

SCOTCH PIE

Steps:

• Melt the lard in the boiling water.
• Sieve the flour into a warmed bowl.Make a well in the middle and mix in the hot fat and water mixture with a wooden spoon.
• When the dough has coled a little - knead with your hands.When it is smooth and 'elastic' - leave in a warm place until firmer (but still elastic enough to roll out)
• Roll out the pastry to around keeping it thin.Cut the pastry into 3- 4 inch round shapes or if you are using pie or muffin molds - to the correct size.Cut out enough circles for the top of the pies.
• Mix the mince with the breadcrumbs and seasoning.
• Add gravy to bind, and mix thoroughly
• Fill the pie shells to 3/4 full.Add the top and seal.
• Using a knife, make a couple of cuts in the centre of the pid to allow the steam to escape.Brush with milk to glaze.
• Pre-heat the oven to 190 centigrade/ 375 F.Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.