6th June 2011, on the menu today...

Steak & Ale Pie (Homemade)

Beef, beer, gravy and pastry...what more could a man want! This British culinary masterpiece is as good as it gets for me and, once again, reaffirms why our diet is one of the best in the world. Indeed, I've had my fair share of posh nosh over the years but it all pales in comparison to the taste and comfort of tucking into the likes of a homemade pie with friends and family.

Appearance:

Personally, I get hungry just looking at the photos. The pastry develops a wonderful golden hue in the oven and puffs up sumptuously whilst the hole in the centre gives a teasing glimpse of the dark beefy interior. Of course, it isn't the most refined of presentations - especially when everyone starts digging in at the table - but one can easily dish up the portions beforehand or, even better, make individual pies.

Taste

You first encounter the puff pastry which goes from being beautifully crispy and flaky on top to buttery and moist underneath. This segues into the hot casseroled contents consisting of tender chunks of braising steak, slithers of sweet onion and a wonderfully deep and flavoursome gravy that is not at all bitter from the beer. All in all, this is seriously comforting food that will fill the stomach and satisfy the taste buds in the best way possible.

Recipe: Coming soon.

History: See general pie history here.

Have you considered...?

Full of wholesome ingredients, beef provides protein, iron, zinc, selenium and various B-vitamins, whilst beer is vitamin rich and has been shown to reduce the chance of strokes as well as heart and vascular disease.

Related TGBD Articles:

Pork & Apple Pie (Cranstons)

Steak & Kidney Pie (The Lairds Larder)