Steak and Kidney Pie (1 syn per portion)
This is a gorgeous pie. I love steak and kidney and this tastes exactly like that. It's healthy because instead of pastry we are using roast potatoes instead as the topping (just like one would do in a cottage pie). This dish is magnificent.
Ingredients
- 500 g beef (frying steaks)
- 200 g Lamb's kidneys (white cores removed)
- 2 carrots (cubed)
- 2 celery sticks (sliced)
- 200 g baby button mushrooms (halved)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic (or one frozen large cube)
- 0.75 tsp salt
- 0.75 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (finely chopped, upto max 1.5 tsp)
- 300 ml beef stock
- 2 tsp tsp gravy granules
- 2 tsp thickening granules (or use cornflower mixed with a touch of water)
- 2 tsp chip curry granules (by bisto) (optional)
- 8 large potatoes (Maris Piper best)
Method
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Remove the visible fat from the beef and cut into bite-sized pieces.
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Chop the kidneys too - rough, not too small.
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Put a pan on medium heat, and gently fry off the beef and kidneys for 3-5 mins. Keep stirring. Don't brown too much. No need for every surface to be browned.
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Add to the beef pan: cubed carrots, sliced celery, baby mushrooms and onion. Stir for 2 mins more.
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Now add the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce. Also add the garlic, salt, pepper and thyme. If doing it on the hob: cook on low heat for about 120 mins (2 hrs). If using a slow cooker, leave for 4-6 hours. If using an Instant Pot, pressure cook for 30 mins.
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Peel and cut potatoes. You can do one of two things. Cut into medium sized chunks. Par boil for 10 mins. Then place on baking tray, spray with fry light oil and roast for another 20 mins. Or simply boil and mash.
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Add gravy granules, curry granules (optional) and thickening granules (or cornflour mix) to thicken the beef stew. Keep stirring. Cook more on low heat for 5 mins.
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OPTIONAL: Transfer meat stew mixture into pie dish. Layer top with the roast potatoes or mashed potatoes (whichever you have chosen). Spray top with fry light. Stick in the over 180 C for about another 15 mins.
OPTIONAL: Or you can just serve with roast potatoes and minted peas and any other vegetables.
Recipe Notes
The potatoes can be done in three ways. For the quickest method, use mashed potatoes. The second method involves layering with medium sized roast potatoes. Or try this - mash the roasted potatoes and layer with that mix before putting in the oven again. This latter method adds even more texture!
You can save further time by using 1 tsp garlic salt rather than chopping up the garlic and adding salt separately.
Please note: Frozen cubes of garlic or ginger can be found in international supermarkets and in some major English supermarket stores. One rectangular cube measures 3.5cm x 3.5cm x 1.5cm. However, fresh ginger is always lush!