“Desperate Dan” Cow Pie Recipe

cow pie

method

  1. Heat a little oil in a large saucepan and fry the onions, until they become soft and a little brown.
  2. Add the meat and fry until no longer pink on the outside.
  3. Add the 2 mugs of water, stock and carrots and bring to the boil. Put a lid on the pan and turn down to simmer for 11⁄2 hours.
  4. Add the potatoes to some boiling water and bring to the boil. Turn down to simmer for 8–10 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Drain and return to the pan.
  5. Heat the oven to 180ºC fan oven/200ºC/gas 6.
  6. Mix the softened butter and flour together, add to the meat and stir well. The gravy should thicken. If most of the liquid has boiled away, add another mug of water.
  7. Pour the meat mixture into the bottom of a large casserole dish. Put the cooked potatoes on top.
  8. Make the pastry, see page 32. Roll out the pastry and place over the potatoes. Cut to size and pinch the edges of the pastry. Make a little hole in the centre for the steam to get out. This stops the pastry from going soggy. Brush the top with beaten egg.
  9. Place in the oven for 25 minutes, or until the pastry is browned on top.

Ingredients

  • oil to fry
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 750g stewing beef
  • 2 mugs water
  • 1 tablespoon concentrated beef stock or 1 beef stock cube
  • 5 carrots, sliced
  • 6 medium potatoes, cut into 1cm slices (no need to peel)
  • 25g softened butter (measure using packet)
  • 1 tablespoon flour

Shortcrust Pastry

  • 175g butter (measure using packet)
  • 2 mugs/340g self-raising flour
  • 1 beaten egg + 1⁄4 mug water

Key

Cost

£1.90 / Person

difficulty

****

prep time

30 Minutes

cook time

120 mins

serves

4

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