Christmas Leftover Pie Recipes

PAUL'S HAND-RAISED BOXING DAY PIE

Steps:

• 1. Sift the flours and salt into a mixing bowl. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre of the mixture. 2. Heat the lard and 200ml water in a small pan over a medium heat. When the mixture is simmering, pour it into the well in the flour and stir with a wooden spoon, gradually drawing the dry ingredients into the liquid, until the mixture comes together in a dough. 3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and pliable. Roll out three-quarters of the dough and use to a line the prepared tin or mould. Press the pastry into the base and sides of the tin to prevent air bubbles from forming, leaving the excess hanging over the edge of the tin. 4. Spoon half of the stuffing into the pastry case and press down with the back of a spoon. Arrange half of the turkey over the stuffing, then season with salt and pepper. Mix the cranberries and cranberry sauce together and spoon half over the turkey. Repeat the layers once more, pressing down as before. 5. Roll out the remaining pastry large enough to cover the pie. Brush the overhanging edges with water and place the lid on top, squeezing it together at the edges to seal. Trim off most of the excess pastry using scissors or a knife, and crimp using your fingers or the tines of a fork to create a decorative edge. Stamp out small stars from any leftover rolled out pastry, if you like, and use to decorate the top of the pie. Make a small hole in the centre of the lid and chill for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. 6. Place the pie in a roasting tin, transfer to the heated oven and cook for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with beaten egg to glaze. Return to the oven for 15 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Cool for a further 30 minutes before removing the sides of the tin or mould.

CHRISTMAS PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Heat 1 tbsp oil and the butter in a frying pan, then add the onion and fry for 5 mins until softened. Cool slightly. Tip the sausagemeat, lemon zest, breadcrumbs, apricots, chestnuts and thyme into a bowl. Add the onion and cranberries, and mix everything together with your hands, adding plenty of pepper and a little salt.
• Cut each chicken breast into three fillets lengthwise and season all over with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining oil in the frying pan, and fry the chicken fillets quickly until browned, about 6-8 mins.
• Roll out two-thirds of the pastry to line a 20-23cm springform or deep loose-based tart tin. Press in half the sausage mix and spread to level. Then add the chicken pieces in one layer and cover with the rest of the sausage. Press down lightly.
• Roll out the remaining pastry. Brush the edges of the pastry with beaten egg and cover with the pastry lid. Pinch the edges to seal, then trim. Brush the top of the pie with egg, then roll out the trimmings to make holly leaf shapes and berries. Decorate the pie and brush again with egg.
• Set the tin on a baking sheet and bake for 50-60 mins, then cool in the tin for 15 mins. Remove and leave to cool completely. Serve with a winter salad and pickles.

CHRISTMAS LEFTOVER PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F
• Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan and fry the onions for 8-10 minutes until golden and softened.
• Stir in the cooked turkey, thyme, Cranberry Sauce, crème fraiche, Dijon mustard and cornstarch mixture and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Season to taste.
• Unroll the pastry on a lightly floured surface and turn a 60oz oval pie dish over onto the pastry. Cut around the rim and then cut another oval about 1in all the way around away from the rim.
• Turn the pie dish over and wet the rim of the dish. Lift the 1in thick oval strip and arrange over the rim of the dish (cutting to fit if necessary). Brush the strip with beaten egg. Spoon the pie filling into the dish alternatively with the stuffing balls and vegetables.
• Lift the oval of puff pastry over the pie dish and press the edges together to seal. Brush with beaten egg.
• Cut and twist any leftover pastry if liked into strips and arrange over the top of the pie in a lattice pattern. Brush with beaten egg, scatter with Parmesan, salt and thyme leaves. Bake for 35-40 minutes until crisp and golden brown.