Game pies

  • medium
  • 4
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
Not yet rated

If there's one thing chef Stosie Madi is famous for at her Lancashire pub The Parkers Arms, it has to be her pies. These burnished gold beauties contain a cornucopia of game, marinated in herbs, mustard and Armagnac. They're relatively easy to recreate at home, provided you have a good butcher who can supply you with the filling, and their flavour is unmatched.

First published in 2021

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

Pastry

  • 200g of pork fat, roasted and rendered, or melted lard
  • 100g of water, warm
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 300g of flour
  • 10g of salt

Marinade

Filling

To finish

  • 4 egg yolks, beaten, for glazing
  • piccalilli, to serve

Equipment

  • 4 large ramekins

Method

1
Begin with the pie filling as it needs to marinate overnight. Blend the marinade ingredients together into a paste
2
Finely dice the offal and mixed game meat then place in a bowl with the pork fat and bacon. Add the ground spices and marinade. Mix to combine evenly and season. To check the seasoning, fry off a small amount of the mixture to taste. Leave in the fridge overnight
3
The next day, make the pastry. Pour the warm melted fat and warm water in a bowl, whisk in the egg yolk then add the flour and salt. Stir and bring together to form a dough. Work while the pastry is warm
  • 300g of flour
  • 200g of pork fat, roasted and rendered, or melted lard
  • 100g of water, warm
  • 10g of salt
  • 1 egg yolk
4
Divide into 8 pieces to roll into rounds for bottoms and lids if making pies, or just 1 base per person for a pasty shape
5
If you want to make pasties instead of pies, simply cut out larger bases and add the filling in a length down the centre. Draw up the sides and crimp to create the signature pasty shape
6
To make round pies, line 4 straight-sided ramekins or metal rings with clingfilm then carefully place the bases into each one. Use your fingers to gently push the pastry up the sides of the ramekin (there should be enough pastry hanging over the top to crimp to the lid)
7
Generously spoon the filling into each pie, ensuring it's packed in tight with no gaps
8
Add the lids and crimp to seal. Egg wash the tops with egg yolk then place in the fridge to rest for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours
9
Preheat the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7. Carefully de-mould the pies and place on a baking tray (removing the cling film). Brush generously all over with the remaining egg yolk to glaze then bake for 12-15 minutes until very well bronzed
10
Serve up warm or at room temperature with some piccalilli on the side
  • piccalilli, to serve

A whirlwind of talent and skill in the kitchen (which she runs almost single-handedly), Stosie Madi has made rural inn the Parkers Arms one of the most beloved gastropubs in the country.

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