"Lamb & Pasta Pie"

" The first law of Pies -- No Pastry, No Pies"

Lets give a break to our sweet tooth for a while and indulge in some Savoury baked dishes. 

Puffs,Pies,Tarts, whatever it may be, all these baked savoury dishes are absolutely mouthwatering.

Today's recipe is of Lamb/Mutton mince and pasta. So if you are a non vegetarian and love to indulge in mince dishes then you're in for a great treat.

For vegetarians, just replace mutton mince with any vegetables of your choice. The recipe remains standard but the filling can be changed as per your choice and taste. 

Remember there is no right or wrong about cooking a dish. Its your mind and technique which makes it special.

Enjoy this recipe and do post your feedback. 

Keep watching this space for a lot of more savoury dishes this week.. 

"Lamb & Pasta Pie"

Ingredients : 

400 gms plain white flour

200 gms margarine or butter

( you can replace 100 gms of butter with white vegetable fat if available)

pinch of salt

1 egg - seperated

50 gms butter

50 gms flour

450 ml milk

salt and black pepper

225 gms macaroni

50 gms cheddar cheese

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 onion - chopped

1 garlic clove- crushed

2 celery sticks - chopped

450 gms lamb/mutton/chicken mince

1 tbsp tomatoe paste

400 gms chopped tomatoes

Preparation:

         

For the Pastry :

• Preheat the oven to 190*C for ten minutes before cooking
• Lightly oil a round spring foam cake tin.
• Add flour,200 gms of butter/margarine and salt in a bowl and mix with hands
• Add cold water and knead it in a pliable dough
• Roll out 2/3rd dough to line the base and sides of the tin.
• Brush with egg whites and keep aside.

For the Pasta :

• Melt 50 gms of butter in pan, stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add milk and stir well to avoid and lumps and cook till it becomes like a thick white sauce
• Season with salt and pepper and keep aside
• Boil a large vessel with water and salt and add macaroni and cook according to the instructions on the packet or until al dente.
• Drain and add it to the white sauce with the grated cheese.

For the mince filling :

• Heat oil in a pan, add onions, garlic,celery and lamb mince and cook for 10-15 minutes till the meat is properly cooked.
• Add salt, pepper, tomato paste and chopped tomatoes and cook further for more 10 mins. Cool slightly.

Arranging the pie :

• Place half the pasta mixture, then all the lamb mince mixture in the pasty lined tin.
• Top with a layer of pasta.
• Roll out the remaining pastry and cut out a lid.
• Brush the edge with water,place over the filling and pinch the edges of the pastry together.
• Use trimmings to decorate the top of the pie in different shapes.
• Brush the pie with the beaten egg yolk and bake in the pre heated oven for 50-60 mins,till its equally cooked and turns brown.
• Let is cool for 15 minutes before turning out.
• Cut slices and serve

Note : Vegetarians - you need to only replace the mince filling section with a mix of sauted vegetables . My suggestion is to use sauteed spinach,cottage cheese,peas,cabbage and capsicum.