Zesty Lamb Pie

The best thing about this recipe is that most of the work for about this sunny, zesty and classy pie can be done in advance…which means you can just chill out and enjoy yourself.

Zesty Lamb Pie

INGREDIENTS

Serves 4-6

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 celery sticks, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 600g shoulder of lamb, diced
• 1 glass of dry white wine
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 600ml chicken or lamb stock
• 2 bay leaves
• a small bunch of rosemary,
• leaves picked and chopped
• a small bunch of thyme,
• leaves picked and chopped
• grated zest of 1 lemon
• 4–6 anchovy fillets, to taste
• 200g jar of artichokes,
• drained and roughly chopped
• 150g cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 2 tbsp baby capers
• 1 quantity of rough puff pastry (650g)
• 1 free-range egg, lightly beaten, to glaze
• sea salt and black pepper

METHOD

Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion, celery and garlic and cook gently for 5-10 minutes, until just starting to colour. Raise the heat a little, add the meat and cook until sealed all over; don’t let it colour too much. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half. Stir in the flour, then gradually stir in the stock, herbs, lemon zest and anchovies and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook gently for 1-1 ½ hours, until the meat is very tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the artichokes, tomatoes and capers. Check the seasoning, then transfer the mixture to a pie dish and leave to cool.

Preheat the oven to 180/350/gas mark 4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 3mm thick and use to cover the pie, trimming off the excess. Brush with beaten egg and make a couple of small holes in the centre to let out steam. Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. This pie goes well with minted new potatoes and fresh spring veg.

You can find this recipe and many more in our cookbook ‘A Pie for All Seasons’ available from our online shop  for £14.50.