Hot And Spicy Pie Food

SPICED BEEF PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onions and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until the onions are soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the beef, sprinkle it with the cumin, cinnamon, Aleppo pepper, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt and a few turns of black pepper and cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon or spatula, until it is fully cooked and no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
• Soak the matzo in warm water for a few minutes until it has softened. Line the bottom and sides of the prepared cake pan with the matzo pieces, breaking it up as needed and packing it down firmly. It will look a little rustic which is ok. Use a paper towel to blot away excess moisture once the matzo is in the pan, then pour in the beef mixture and pack it down firmly. Cover the top with soaked matzo, pressing the edges to seal, and then brush it with a healthy coating of egg wash. Bake until browned, about 30 minutes.
• Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate. Top with parsley or micro greens and serve.

SPICY PIES WITH SWEET POTATO MASH

Steps:

• Boil the sweet potato for 15 mins or until tender, taking care not to overcook.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large, deep, non-stick frying pan. Add the onions, cover and cook for 8 mins or until softened and starting to colour. Stir in the mince, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until browned. Stir in all the spices and bouillon, then add the beans with their liquid, the tomatoes and pepper. Cover and simmer for 20 mins. Stir in the corn with its liquid, season and take off the heat.
• While the mince cooks, mash the potatoes with the milk to make a stiff mash. Spoon the mince into six individual pie dishes, top each with some mash, then sprinkle over the cheese and a little paprika.
• The pies can now be frozen. If eating straight away, put under a hot grill until piping hot and the cheese is melted. To cook from frozen, thaw completely, then reheat in the oven on a baking tray at 180C/160C fan/ gas 4 for 30-40 mins or until piping hot throughout. Serve with broccoli or a salad, if you like, which will take you to all 5 of your 5-a-day.

HOT WATER PIE CRUST I

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine shortening, salt, milk and boiling water. Whip with fork until smooth and creamy.
• Add 2 cups flour and stir with round-the-bowl strokes until all flour is incorporated.
• Makes crust for one double crust pie.

INDIAN-SPICED SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• In a large non-stick frying pan, cook the lamb, onion and carrots, stirring often, until the lamb is browned and veg is starting to soften, about 8 mins. Add the garam masala and some seasoning and cook for a further 2 mins until fragrant. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, tip in the peas and cook for a further 2 mins until the peas are cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated.
• Meanwhile, cook potatoes in a large pan of salted water until just tender, about 8 mins. Drain well, return to the pan and gently stir in turmeric and coriander - try not to break up the potatoes too much.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Transfer the mince to a baking dish and top with the turmeric potatoes. Squeeze over the lemon juice, then bake for 30-35 mins until potatoes are golden. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.