Steak & Ale Pie
Every season has its culinary consort: winter has turkey and oranges, while spring provides lamb and broccoli and with summer comes strawberries, cucumbers and peaches. Autumn then boasts pumpkins, squashes, berries and beef – all of which are the perfect ingredients for filling the humble pie.
There’s something about pie that always quietly suggests autumn. Succulent meat cosies up inside crisp pastry cases, a bit like us huddling indoors away from the cold. Of course there’s the fillings too, all of which are in season in autumn: blackberry and apple, pumpkin, chicken and leek, pecan, rabbit and my favourite, beef (with ale – available all year round, fortunately).
It being autumn, and cold enough to ditch the extra jumper we’ve all been making-do with and finally being able to justify putting the heating on, it’s time to make and eat pies. So instead of lolling around anticipating the winter blues, embrace the cold weather. Come indoors, take off your woolly hat and make a pie. How about this Steak & Ale pie, with a short crust pastry case, for starters? Continue reading
