Spicy Lamb Pie Food

SPICED LAMB PIE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Toss the lamb in the flour with some seasoning, then brown it in the dish. Do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the dish (which will cause the meat to steam instead of fry). Take your time to build up a deep brown colour, which will add lots of meaty flavour to the stew. Set the meat aside on a plate as you go.
• Add the remaining oil to the dish along with the onion and garlic. Cook for 5 mins until softened, then stir in the spices, tomatoes, lemon zest and juice, honey and molasses. Fill the tomato can halfway with water, swill around and add this too. Season well, bring to a simmer and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat and cook for 2 hrs 30 mins-3 hrs or until the meat is tender. Leave to cool.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Transfer the meat to a pie dish that's about 25cm wide, or leave it in the casserole if it's wide enough to fit the topping. Unwrap the filo and brush a sheet with butter, scrunch up and place on top of the pie. Continue with the remaining sheets until the tagine is covered. Drizzle any remaining butter over the top and scatter over the almonds, then bake for 45 mins or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Scatter over the pomegranate seeds just before serving.

SPICED-LAMB PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large skillet, combine lamb, onion, tomato paste, cayenne, cumin, and cinnamon. Season with salt. Cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Dust surface lightly with flour. Divide dough into 6 balls; roll into 10-by-5-inch ovals. Transfer to 2 rimmed baking sheets. Divide filling among ovals, leaving 1/2-inch borders. Fold edges over meat; pinch ends together. Let stand, draped with plastic, in a warm place until they double in size, about 30 minutes.
• Brush crust with olive oil. Bake until golden, about 18 minutes. Drizzle with more oil; top with red onion, mint, and pine nuts; serve.

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.

SPICY LAMB POT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
• Sear the lamb in a large pan with no added oil until brown. Place in a colander and drain off any fat. Return to pan and add the onion and garlic and cook for 6 minutes.
• While the lamb is cooking, brush the eggplant with oil and grill for about 3 - 4 minutes each side. Add the herbs, spices, tomato paste and vegetable stock to the lamb mixture and simmer until most of the liquid has absorbed.
• Add the zucchini and chickpeas and remove from the heat and season with salt and black pepper.
• Spoon a layer of the lamb mixture into an oven proof dish, followed by a layer of eggplant. Make another two layers with the remaining lamb and eggplant.
• Set aside while you make the topping.
• Combine the oats, parmesan, thyme and oil in a food processor and process until well combined. Season and spoon the mixture over the top.
• Place in the oven and cook for 30 - 35 minutes until the top is brown and crunchy.

LAMB KEEMA SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onions until soft and starting to brown, about 8-10 mins. Push to one side of the pan and add the lamb. Leave the meat alone until the underside is browning, then break it down with the back of a spoon. Leave to brown for a few mins more, then stir in the ginger, garlic, spices and tomato purée. Stir for a few mins until the mixture is sticky and aromatic. Add 600ml water, the stock cube and the sugar.
• Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and cook for 45 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking. The sauce should be thick but if it reduces too quickly, add a splash of water or cover with a lid.
• Put the sweet potatoes and potatoes in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins until tender. Drain and leave to steam dry for 10 mins.
• Mash the potatoes with the cheese and some seasoning. Tip the mince into a baking dish about 20 x 35cm and 10cm deep. Stir in the peas. Cover with the mash, making dips and peaks with the back of your spoon, or pipe the mash on for a neater finish. Crush the poppadums in your hands and scatter over the mash, then drizzle over a little oil. You can now chill for up to two days or freeze for two months. If cooking straightaway, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Bake for 45 mins until golden and bubbling around the edges. Leave to cool for 5 mins, then serve with the green chilli scattered over, if you like.