Ale pie is a classic British dish that is made with a combination of stewing steak, herbs, vegetables, and, of course, ale. The key ingredient in this dish is the stewing steak, which is typically a tougher cut of meat that benefits from slow cooking to become tender and flavorful.
To start making an ale pie, you will need to gather your ingredients. The main ingredient is the stewing steak, which can be beef or even lamb, depending on your preference. It's important to choose a cut of meat that has a good amount of marbling, as this will help keep the meat juicy and tender during the cooking process.
Next, you will need to gather your herbs and vegetables. The Hairy Bikers recommend using thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves to infuse the meat with delicious flavors. Vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery are also added to the pie filling to add texture and depth of flavor.
Once you have gathered all your ingredients, it's time to start cooking. The first step is to brown the stewing steak in a hot pan. This helps to seal in the juices and adds a rich, caramelized flavor to the meat. After browning the meat, it is then transferred to a large pot or casserole dish.
In the same pan used to brown the meat, the onions, carrots, and celery are cooked until they start to soften and become fragrant. These vegetables add a sweetness and depth of flavor to the pie filling. Once the vegetables are cooked, they are added to the pot with the stewing steak.
Now it's time to add the ale. The ale is what gives this pie its distinctive flavor and richness. The Hairy Bikers recommend using a generous amount of ale to ensure a flavorful filling. The ale is added to the pot, along with the herbs, and the mixture is simmered for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld together and the meat to become tender.
While the filling is simmering, you can prepare the pastry. The Hairy Bikers suggest using shop-bought pastry for convenience, but you can also make your own if you prefer. The pastry is rolled out and used to line a pie dish or individual pie tins.
Once the filling has finished simmering and has become tender and flavorful, it is spooned into the pastry-lined dish or tins. The pastry is then placed on top and crimped to seal the pie. This can be done with a fork or by pinching the edges together with your fingers.
The pie is then baked in the oven until the pastry is golden brown and crisp. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the pie, but it usually takes around 30-45 minutes.
Once the pie is cooked, it is ready to be enjoyed. The rich, tender filling combined with the flaky pastry creates a comforting and delicious dish. It can be served on its own or with some mashed potatoes and vegetables for a complete meal.
Ale pie is made with stewing steak, herbs, vegetables, and a generous amount of ale. The stewing steak is cooked with the herbs and vegetables in ale for an hour to create a tender, rich filling. The filling is then spooned into a pastry-lined dish and baked until the pastry is golden brown and crisp. It's a classic British dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner on a cold winter night.