Steak Kidney Pie The Way My Mother Made It Recipes

STEAK AND KIDNEY PIE II

Steps:

• Cover beef kidney with lightly salted water. Cover, and refrigerate overnight. Drain off water. Cut out tubes and white membrane with scissors. Dice meat
• In a stew pot, brown kidney and steak in hot fat. Add onions, seasonings, and 1 1/2 cups water. Simmer until meat is almost tender, about 1 hour.
• Add potatoes and continue simmering until potatoes are tender, about 1/2 hour.
• Blend together flour and remaining 1/2 cup water; stir into meat mixture. Continue cooking and stirring until mixture thickens. Pour into 3 quart casserole.
• Roll out pastry slightly larger than top of casserole. Place over meat mixture, and trim to overhang 1 inch. Fold under, and flute against inside edge of casserole. Cut several steam vents in center.
• Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.

THE CLASSIC STEAK AND KIDNEY PIE

Steps:

• Heat a large frying pan with a little of the dripping or oil. Season the diced beef with salt and pepper. Fry in the pan until well coloured and completely sealed. Life out the meat and transfer to a large saucepan. Add a touch more oil, if necessary, to the frying pan. Season the kidneys and also fry quickly to seal and colour in the hot pan. Also transfer to the saucepan.
• Melt a knob of butter in the pan and cook the onions and carrots in the melted butter for 2 - 3 minutes. They will lift any flavours left from the meats. Put into the saucepan with the meat. Fry the mushroom slices in a little more butter, just turning in the pan for a minute or two; keep to one side.
• Place the saucepan on medium heat, stirring in the flour, and allow it to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato puree, bay leaf and mushrooms. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer, skimming off any impurities. The meat should just be covered with the stock; if not, top with a little more stock or water. Simmer gently, partially covered, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. During the cooking time it may need to be skimmed several times.
• After 1 1/2 hours, check the meat for tenderness. If not quite soft enough, cook for the additional 30 minutes. If the meat is cooking gently, it will not need to be topped up with any additional stock or water. The sauce will have reduced, thickening it's consistency and increasing it's flavour.
• Taste for seasoning, adding a dash or two of Worcestershire Sauce to the mixture. Transfer to a 2 pint pie dish and allow to cool to lukewarm.
• Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F.
• Roll the pastry 1/4-inch thick. Cut a strip of pastry to sit around the rim of the dish. This will help the top to stay on. Brush the rim of the pie dish with some beaten egg and apply the strip. Brush again with egg. Making sure the pastry top is bigger than the dish, sit it on top. Push down around the sides, trim and crimp for a neat finish. Brush completely with egg wash and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown.

STEAK AND KIDNEY PIE WITH BACON AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Cut the kidneys in half, and remove the tubes and skins; rinse well under cold running water. Pat dry, and cut into 1/2 inch dice. Pour the vegetable oil into a large, heavy bottom pot, and set over medium-high heat. Season the flour to taste with salt and pepper in a bowl. Toss the kidney and stew meat in the flour; shake off the excess. Sear the meat in the hot oil until well browned, then remove. Add the bacon to the pot and cook until crisp. Stir in the onion and mushroom, and cook to soften, about 2 minutes. Pour in beef stock, wine, and browned meat; bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken, about 5 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until meat is tender. Remove from heat, and cool to room temperature.
• Place potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover, over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, then mash with the butter and milk; season with salt and pepper. Allow to cool.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Press one sheet of the puff pastry into a 9 inch pie dish, and trim the edges to fit. Fill with the cooled meat mixture. Spread mashed potatoes over top, about one inch thick. Place the remaining sheet of puff pastry over the top of the pie. Trim the excess pastry around the edges, then flute the edges with a fork. Brush the top with the beaten egg.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until crust is golden.