Game Pie

Method

This simple game pie has already become a family favourite. To make enough to satisfy 4 to 6 hungry eaters, I use 1 pack of the venison together with 1 pack of mixed game, 8 shallots or so, 8oz or more of button mushrooms, (shitake mushrooms work well too), 2 bay leaves, some crumbled sage leaves, stock (I use vegetable) and - if you’re into such things - a goodly glass of red wine. If you don’t have an open bottle to hand, one of the small bottles from the shop is just right.

For the pastry, I confess to using bought frozen puff pastry, because I know it works! No doubt some of you wonderful Whitstone cooks would make your own. You’ll know what to do, of course. After softening the shallots and the mushrooms in olive oil, I put them to one side, then toss the meat in plain flour before adding to the pan to brown. This just thickens the mixture nicely when you add the amount of liquid you wish.

Once all the ingredients with seasoning are in the pan, I put on the lid and let them simmer gently (the longer the better, I find), until I’m ready to put the mixture in a baking dish, top it with the pastry and pop into the oven.

Mrs Trewhitless