Highland Beef Pie

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2.2lbs beef shank, trimmed and diced
• 2 onions, sliced
• 3 sticks of celery, sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups red wine
• 10fl oz beef stock
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tbsp chopped thyme
• 1 13.75oz jar pickled walnuts, drained and quartered
• 1lb pre-made puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 325F/160C/140 fan/Gas 3 You will need a 3-pint round or rectangle ovenproof dish.
2. 2
   Heat the oil in a deep frying pan with a lid. Add the beef and sear in two batches, set aside.
3. 3
   Add the onions and celery to the pan and fry for 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for 30 seconds. Mix in the beef.
4. 4
   Add the flour into a mixing bowl. Whisk in the wine until you have a smooth consistency. Add the stock, wine mixture, tomato puree and thyme to the pan. Stir and bring up to the boil. Cover with a lid and transfer to the oven for 3 – 3.5 hours until the beef is tender.
5. 5
   Once the beef is tender, stir in the pickled walnuts.
6. 6
   Spoon the beef into the ovenproof dish and leave to cool. Invert a small tea cup or pie funnel in the center or the dish. Increase the oven temperature to 390F/200C/Gas 6.
7. 7
   Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to a large rectangle, a little bigger than the surface of the dish. Slice four x 1cm strips from the pastry.
8. 8
   Wet the edges of the dish with water and stick the four strips of pastry along the edge. Wet the top of the strips and carefully lay the large sheet of pastry over the top, press around the edge so it sticks to the strips of pastry. Crimp the edge of the pastry. Using a small sharp knife make two holes, one either side of the cup to allow the steam to escape and prevent the pastry from being soggy.
9. 9
   Roll out the trimmings from the pastry into a long rectangle. Chill in the freezer until very firm and carefully cut out the letters HAPPY CHRISTMAS from the pastry.
10. 10
    Brush the pie with egg wash, press the letters to the top and brush again. Bake in the center of the oven for about 45 minutes until golden.