A traditional pork pie is a savory pastry filled with a mixture of seasoned ground or minced pork. Here’s a basic recipe for making a classic pork pie:
Traditional Pork Pie:
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
For Assembling:
- 1 beaten egg for egg wash
Instructions:
For the Pastry:
- Prepare Pastry Dough:
- In a food processor, combine flour and salt. Add cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough just comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, shape it into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For the Filling:
- Cook Pork:
- In a skillet, cook ground pork over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Aromatics:
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pork. Cook until the onion is softened.
- Season:
- Stir in dried sage, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Assembling the Pork Pie:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll Out Pastry:
- Roll out the chilled pastry on a floured surface to line a greased pie dish.
- Add Filling:
- Fill the pastry-lined dish with the cooled pork mixture.
- Top with Pastry Lid:
- Roll out more pastry to create a lid for the pie. Seal the edges by pressing them together and trim off any excess.
- Ventilation Holes:
- Cut a few small slits or make decorative ventilation holes in the pastry lid.
- Brush with Egg Wash:
- Brush the top of the pie with beaten egg to give it a golden finish.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the pork pie to cool for a bit before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
This traditional pork pie is a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for picnics or as part of a cozy meal. Adjust seasonings and ingredients according to your preferences.
