These moreish hearty Steak & Pepper Pies make the perfect family feed when you're needing some warmth & substance on a cold Winter's weekend. 

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Steak & Pepper Pies with Rosemary Rough Puff Crust

Ingredients:

• 1.5kg chuck steak

• 2 garlic cloves

• 2 sprigs rosemary, stalks removed

• 4 sprigs thyme, stalks removed

• 2 tsp Urban Forager Beef Stock Concentrate

• 2 cups filtered water

• 1 TB Worcestershire sauce

• 400g tin chopped tomatoes

• 1 TB finely ground black pepper

• 1 cup unbleached plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper

• oil of your choice

Rosemary Rough Puff Ingredients:

• 1 good sprig rosemary

• 250g strong white unbleached flour

• 250g good yellowy butter, grated and very chilled

• 1 tsp sea salt

• about 150ml water, very chilled

• egg for egg wash

Method:

Filling Instructions

1. Coat the steak in the seasoned flour and shake off any excess

2. Preheat a large, heavy bottomed, oven proof pot on the stove

3. Add a generous lug of sunflower oil

4. Fry the steak in batches until golden brown all over.  Do not overcrowd the pot (or the meat will stew).  Add more oil if needed

5. Remove the steak and set aside

6. In the same pot, gently fry the onions until soft and translucent.  Add more oil as needed

7. When onions are done, add garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper and Urban Forager Beef Stock Concentrate.  Fry for another 30 seconds

8. Add tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and beef to the pot

9. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer gently with the lid on for 1.5-2 hours until the meat is very tender.  If the gravy needs thickening, leave the lid off for the last 30 mins.  Stir from time to time to prevent sticking

10. Set aside to cool then refrigerate overnight

Pastry Instructions

1. Chill the butter before use, cut into 1cm cubes, then pop back in the fridge or freezer to chill again

2. Add flour, rosemary and salt to a large glass or ceramic mixing bowl

3. Add the butter into the flour and rub loosely (you need to see little bits of butter)

4. Make a well in the bowl and pour about 2 thirds of chilled water, mix together until you have a firm dough, adding more water if necessary

5. Cover and leave to rest in fridge for 20 mins

6. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured bench

7. Knead gently to form into a rectangle

8. Roll the dough in one direction only, until 3 times the width (about 20x50cm)

9. Keep the edges straight and even

10. Do not overwork the butter streaks, the pastry should have a marbled effect

11. Fold the top third down onto the pastry, then the bottom third up so there are 3 layers

12. Turn the dough 90 degrees and roll out to 3-4 times the length

13. Fold as before and gently roll to join the folds but not increase the size

14. Cover and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before rolling to use

Assembly Instructions

1. The filling is best made a day (or two) ahead (but can be made about 4 hours before)

2. Pastry should be started about 40 minutes before you want to start rolling it out

3. Preheat oven to 180C with baking tray/s on the shelves you plan to place the pie tin/s

4. When ready to assemble, roll the pastry out

5. Lightly butter pie tins and line them with pastry, allowing the sides to overhang.  Brush the edges with egg wash.

6. Add a generous amount of cooled filling (must be cooled or the pastry will go soggy)

7. Top the pies with pastry and trim any excess.  Use a fork and/or your fingers to press and seal the edges

8. Cut a small cross in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape

9. Brush the top of the pastry with egg wash

10. Pop the pies in the freezer for 5 mins to allow the pastry to chill a little

11. Remove pies from freezer and place directly in the oven on the hot baking tray

12. Bake for 30-40 mins or until puffed up and golden

13. Try not to drool

TIP:  If you’re in a hurry, or not a baker, use a good quality frozen puff pastry such as ‘Careme’

This isn’t a 30 minute wonder meal, but it’s so damn delicious it’s worth it.

The filling is best made the day before so it can cool and the flavours develop.

We used 4 individual enamel pie tins which were the perfect afternoon snack for hungry boys (and lunch for one hungry Forager).

The metal baking tray preheating in the oven increases the heat on the bottom of the pie tins and is a great trick for getting pastry extra crispy on the bottom.

Recipe courtesy of Urban Foragers

* The highlighted Australian made ingredients are products featured inside our 'Discovery Box'. We love sharing recipes including the products found in your box as it makes it easier for you to enjoy them! You can substitute these with other quality products. The Urban Forager Beef Stock Concentrate in this recipe were featured in our 'Winter 2021' Discovery Box