British Meat Pies for Bolton Food & Drink Festival Recipe

Introduction

British meat pies are a beloved comfort food, perfect for any season. These individual pies combine a rich, savory beef filling with a crisp, buttery shortcrust pastry for a satisfying treat. Ideal for gatherings or a hearty meal, they bring a taste of tradition to your table.

Ingredients

• 2 cups shortcrust pastry
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut circles to line your pie tins.
3. Step 3: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onions and garlic until tender. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in beef broth and thyme; simmer until thickened.
4. Step 4: Fill each pastry-lined tin with the meat mixture, then top with another pastry circle. Crimp edges with a fork to seal.
5. Step 5: Brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden finish.
6. Step 6: Place on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture before filling the pies.
• Try substituting dried thyme with fresh rosemary or sage for a different herbal note.
• Use puff pastry instead of shortcrust for a flakier crust.
• If you prefer, add some diced carrots or peas to the filling for added texture and color.

Storage

Store cooled meat pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes to retain crispness. These pies can also be frozen before baking; just thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the meat filling ahead of time?

Yes, the meat filling can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in a sealed container to maintain freshness.

What can I use if I don’t have individual pie tins?

You can use a muffin tin or even bake larger pies in a small pie dish. Just adjust the size of the pastry and baking time accordingly.

British Meat Pies for Bolton Food & Drink Festival Recipe

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Classic British Meat Pies featuring a savory blend of lean ground beef, onions, garlic, and thyme, all encased in a crisp shortcrust pastry. These hearty pies are perfect for any occasion and were showcased at the Bolton Food & Drink Festival, offering a delicious taste of traditional British comfort food.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 medium-sized pies 1x
• Category: Savory Pie
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pastry

• 2 cups shortcrust pastry

Filling

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Finishing

• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature while you prepare the pies.
2. Prepare the pastry: On a floured surface, roll out the shortcrust pastry to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Use a cutter or glass to cut out circles that will fit to line your pie tins.
3. Cook the filling: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté the finely chopped onions and minced garlic until soft and translucent. Add the ground beef and cook until it’s thoroughly browned. Stir in the beef broth and dried thyme, then let the mixture simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Assemble the pies: Place a pastry circle into each pie tin, pressing gently to line the base and sides. Spoon the meat mixture evenly into each pastry shell. Top with another pastry circle and crimp the edges with a fork to seal the pies completely.
5. Apply egg wash: Beat the egg and brush it over the top pastry of each pie to give a beautifully golden finish once baked.
6. Bake: Arrange the pies on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, use home-made beef broth or add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the filling.
• The pies can be made ahead and frozen before baking; just increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes when cooking from frozen.
• Use a fork to vent the top crust slightly if desired to prevent steam build-up during baking.
• If you don’t have pie tins, oven-safe muffin trays or small ramekins can work as alternatives.
• Shortcrust pastry can be replaced with puff pastry for a flakier crust variation.

Keywords: British meat pie, shortcrust pastry, beef pie recipe, Bolton Food and Drink Festival, savory pie, comfort food