If there is one thing we can be proud of in Britain, then it is for our famous pies. I am not talking about the sweet type of pie, even though we have a couple of successes there too. Besides, British cuisine has got more to offer than just pies though. For example, our Eton Mess is definitely worth its reputation. However, we all know that our savoury pies are our unique thing, and no one is better in making these than the British!
A part of our rich history is the tradition of combining meat and pastry into something very comforting. Think of Cornish pasties, or Yorkshire puddings for the Sunday roast. I think we can all agree that these are some of the fundamental gems the British cuisine has to offer. Therefore, I think these mini beef pies are definitely a patriotic worthy meal to win a culinary competition. Don’t you think so?
Not only to do they look amazing, but they are rich in flavour. You can adapt the recipe to the desired amount. Either make one big pie for the family to share, or use a muffin tray and make mini beef pies. Perfect for the lunch box as well either way! Check out my video on mini beef pies just below and let me know what you think!
foodie madness competition
Have you ever heard of foodie madness cook-off? This year 16 bloggers from different countries will showcase their national flavours and battle it out in the kitchen for foodie madness. Yes, I happen to be one of those 16 bloggers, representing the UK. There are bloggers from literally over the world: Senegal, Mexico, Brazil, and so many others! We have to take the stand and defend our amazing cuisine.
This cook-off will all happen from 5th to 26th of October, hosted by Accor Hotels. There are 8 rounds of this nail-biting cook-off. We, as Britain, must defend out culinary territory with our exceptional pies! I mean, who could resist that perfect flaky pastry and an intensely rich filling? Click right here to check out the competition and don’t forget to vote for our lively mini beef pies! Go Britain! Vote vote vote!
round one!
In the first round, it’s the UK against Singapore. I can’t even stress how important it is to win this first round. Our competition seems to be some sort of coconut based noodle soup, which looks very appetising but it can’t beat a good pie, right?
Who can possibly resist a proper pie, especially on a cold, dark winter’s day? There is something very comforting about biting into a soft, rich and flaky crust, which leads to luscious tender beef. A true British classic – mini beef pies! I am sure that with your support and votes, British mini beef pies will be victorious in round one!
beef mixture
Now, back to mini beef pies. For my perfect mini beef pies, I use my beef stew as filling. You can find the recipe here.
It’s important that you let the beef stew simmer for a long time for the meat to get properly tender. This will also help to to reduce the amount of liquid. If the stew is too runny, you might end up with a soggy pie bottom, and that’s not what we want. The pastry should be golden and crispy on all sides once it finished baking. If you find the meat from the beef stew a little bit too chunky for your liking, just cut it up into smaller pieces. Alternatively, make the stew with minced meat instead and you will have a minced meat pie.
flaky pastry
You can either use pre-made puff pastry or make your own. Obviously, with the pre-made puff pastry, life tends to be a little easier. The effect in terms of the end result shouldn’t be too different if you use a high-quality product. However, there is something soothing about making your own pastry. Yes, it’s a slower and more intense process, but you’ll get a sense of satisfaction.
So, how can you make the best possible pastry for the mini beef pies? This involves using only the best ingredients such as unsalted organic butter, instead of using margarine. Same rule applies with eggs and milk. Go for the organic free-range eggs. A handy trick for any type of pastry is using fine sea salt, as it is easier to incorporate into the pastry. Remember not too overwork the pastry, otherwise the pastry will thicken up and become unpleasant to handle. Also, once you are finished, remember to rest the pastry. This is an essential step, because if you roll it out straight after it will shrink.
serving
What would you serve our traditional mini beef pies with? Peas, potato mash and gravy, of course! They freeze well too.
PrintBeef & Mushroom Pies
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
Description
Mini Beef & Mushroom Pies look tricky to make but are easy to prepare. It does take long to prepare but the end result is worth it. Suitable for freezing.
Ingredients
- 1 quantity of Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Red Wine, cooled
- 1.2kg (4 rolls) ready rolled shortcrust pastry, at room temperature
- 600g (2 rolls) ready rolled puff pastry, at room temperature
- Flour, for rolling
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7.
- Lightly oil a standard 12-hole muffin pan and set aside.
- Sprinkle a clean work surface with flour and roll out the shortcrust pastry. Find a bowl large enough to use as a stencil that will cover an area large enough for the pastry to cover the whole area of each muffin hole with flaps coming over the edge. Cut out 24 circles with all the shortcrust pastry.
- Do exactly the same with the puff pastry but this time you need a smaller circle.
- Line the muffin tin with the shortcrust pastry then fill each hole with stew.
- Lay the circles over the cases and seal all around the edge with your fingers. Crimp the edges and brush the tops all over with egg.
- Make a hole in the centre of each for steam to escape.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and crisp and the filling is piping hot. Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes. Carefully remove from the tin. Serve with mash.
Notes
- If you want to make 12 pies, simply halve all the ingredients, except the egg.
- The quantity of pastry needed depends on the size of the pie holes being used, so this is a rough estimate as to how these worked out for me.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 269
- Sugar: 2.9 g
- Sodium: 297 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 18.2 g
- Fiber: 2.1 g
- Protein: 19.9 g
- Cholesterol: 43 mg
save the recipe to your pinterest board
A special thanks to Kelly Reeve for assisting with the recipe shoot.
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
I’d not heard of the cook off but sounds like good fun. You’re right these pies are ideal for showcasing hearty, British food They sound delicious!
michelle says
Hi Emma, thanks! I hope we win 🙂
[email protected] says
`How funny I’ve been making pies myself this weekend. It’s that time of year again and these little mini ones are great. I love the idea of this cook off and imagine this will get loads of votes!
michelle says
Thanks Laura! 🙂
sam macaree says
chicken and mushroom
michelle says
Yep, seems to be the favourite here! 🙂
Choclette says
I’ve just eaten a bowl of coconut based noodle soup and it was delicious. But I’d take a good British pie over this any day. Love pies. Good luck in the cook off – sounds mega scary.
michelle says
Love your honesty! I feel the same way 🙂
kim plant says
steak and stilton xx
michelle says
Havent had stilton forever!
Tracey Peach says
Beef & Ale love it xxx
★★★★★
michelle says
Classic 🙂
Tracy Nixon says
I love chicken and red pepper!
★★★★★
michelle says
love the sweetness from the red pepper. Great idea!
laura banks says
cheese and onion
michelle says
love this combo too!
kelly L says
My favourite is steak and ale pie!
michelle says
Like this one too!
Kim Neville says
I like chicken and mushroom
michelle says
Good choice!
Laura Nice says
Steak and stilton is always my choice!
michelle says
Haven’t had stilton forever!
Solange says
Chicken and mushroom.
michelle says
Yum! I love this one too!
Lynda Graham says
Steak and Ale for me !!!
michelle says
Good choice!
Hayley F says
Chicken and mushroom is my fav x
michelle says
Quite popular with everyone this pie! I love it too!
Victoria Prince says
My favourite savoury pie is a pork pie 🙂
michelle says
I love savoury pies!
Liam Bishop says
Chicken and tarragon, love it!
michelle says
Liam, you just made me realize that I haven’t had tarragon for a while!
Fiona King says
Apple & figgy pie
michelle says
haha haven’t tried that one!
tracey tibbs says
mini beef pie
michelle says
yey! aren’t they great ? 🙂
Milly Youngman says
A hearty steak and ale pie!
michelle says
what type of ale do you use?
Zoe C says
Quite simply just steak pie
Ren Taylor says
My favourite pie is Nigel Slaters Chicken and Leek pie!
★★★★★
michelle says
Interesting! Anything unique about it?
Fiona says
Cheese pie!
michelle says
I wish I could eat more cheese :)))
Ben Audsley says
chicken and mushroom!
michelle says
this one seems to be the favourite 🙂
Suzanne says
Cheese and onion.
michelle says
I also like this one 🙂
Becky Duffy says
Mince and Onion, reminds me of my Nan as it was what she used to make very often fir me as a child
michelle says
pies from our grannies are the best! I agree
Janice Williams says
Beef steak and kidney for me
michelle says
interesting! What type of spices do you use?
SARAH BIRKETT says
definitely chicken, sometimes with mushrooms, or ham and peas perhaps
michelle says
pies are great aren’t they? you can literally throw in anything!
Lindsay Chadburn says
My favourite pie is chicken bacon and leek yum
michelle says
yum indeed!
Bob Clark says
chicken and mushroom
michelle says
yep, delicious! maybe I should make one soon
Victoria N says
I love a classic steak and ale
michelle says
oh yea I haven’t had one of these for a while
Sidrah Ahmed says
I like Chicken & mushroom pie
michelle says
delicious classic I agree 🙂
Carole E says
Chicken and leek pie – my favourite!
michelle says
I like a good leek in my pie too…especially an organic one. Tastes amazing
amy bondoc says
i really love cheese and onion pies best 🙂
michelle says
hmmm specially if you caramelise the onions 🙂
Suzanne Jackson says
beef and stilton
michelle says
good idea! I should try it!
Jessica Barber says
Steak and ale! Delish!
michelle says
sounds delicious
Lisa Parker says
I love chicken and leek pie x
michelle says
sounds great!
Thomas Buchanan says
leek and potatoe
michelle says
Love this one too!
Rich Tyler says
I do love a beef & onion!
michelle says
me too, also with a hint of cheese 🙂
Lyndsey cooksey says
My favourite pie is steak and kidney!
michelle says
Good choice:)
KAtie says
Chicken curry pie
michelle says
Hi Katie! Good idea
Susan Hoggett (@susanhoggett) says
homemade mince and leek pie, love it served with creamy mash, mushy peas and vinegar!
michelle says
Ohhh nice touch with the vinegar!
Julie Camm says
The pictures of beef and mushroom pies are making my mouth water!
michelle says
Hi Julie 🙂 Just wait until you taste them! they are delicious!
vivian allman says
chicken and sweetcorn
★★★★★
michelle says
sounds delicious
Carole Nott says
i always love a nice chicken and mushroom pie
michelle says
sounds delicious
Jo Carroll says
There’s nothing plain about a Steak and Kidney pie for me …always tasty…always really satisfying. x
michelle says
agreed 🙂
purpleshoes says
chicken and mushroom
michelle says
great choice!
francis lee says
cheese and onion
michelle says
love these two ingredients!
Kayleigh Robinson says
Pork pie with Stilton! My absolute favourite x
michelle says
🙂 sounds great!
Jenny Barker says
steak and stilton for me
michelle says
thanks for sharing 🙂
Sam Parkes says
Has to be cheese and onion absolutely love them yummy
michelle says
love them too 🙂
Simone Griffin says
I love a chicken and leek pie
michelle says
I love anything with leek 🙂
Sarah Fielding says
Cheese and onion pie!
★★★★★
michelle says
yep! love this one too
Jason Tolliss says
Chicken and mushroom
michelle says
yum!
Iris W says
These pies look delicious I will have to try these. For a favourite it’s a toss between chicken mushroom and steak and ale for me
michelle says
thanks Iris!
Emily Hutchinson says
cheese and onion is my fave
michelle says
same!
Jayne Kelsall says
I love a chicken and mushroom pie .x
michelle says
me too!
Jodie A Green says
i love a meat and potato pie!
Jane says
Pork pie. Lovely with lots and lots of pickle.
michelle says
oooo, should try that!
Michelle thompson says
Steak pie for me
michelle says
Yum!
Jeanette Leighton says
I love chicken and mushroom pie
★★★★★
michelle says
me too!
Sarah Wilson says
Simple steak – heaven!
michelle says
haha agreed!
Diana says
Beef and ale 🙂
michelle says
yup, with a good ale 🙂
jamie Millard says
steak and ale pie
michelle says
sounds delish!
craig austin says
steak and kidney
michelle says
thanks for sharing Craig
Gillian Holmes says
Chicken pie
michelle says
thanks for sharing Gillian
Sarah Parker says
steak and mushrooms 🙂
michelle says
thanks for sharing Sarah
Lia Burns says
I love chicken and mushroom pie, it’s my absolute favourite
michelle says
thanks for sharing Lia
Tracey Suzie Anderson says
A family favourite of ours is that i slow cook a garlic, chicken and leek casserole and then use the casserole to fill my pies. The end result is absolutely delicious! I am rather partial to a Steak & Kidney pie too 🙂 x
★★★★★
michelle says
that sounds very delicious! will try this next time. Thanks Tracey!
Emma Davison says
Chicken and mushroom
michelle says
thanks for sharing Emma
Miss Tracy Hanson says
Steak and ale pie.. If I’m feeling posh I do them with crushed potatoes on top instead of a pastry lid. 🙂
michelle says
what a handy tip! thanks Tracy
Tammy Neal says
Chicken and mushroom xx
michelle says
thanks Tammy! 🙂
Natalie Crossan says
Cheese and onion xxx
michelle says
my fav!
Claire Little says
steak and ale pie
michelle says
thanks Claire!