LEEK PUFF PASTRY PIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat a large frying pan, melt the butter, then add the onion and leeks. Cover, then very gently cook for 15 mins until soft. Add the potatoes after 5 mins cooking.
• Stir in the flour, turn up the heat, then add the stock, stirring until the mix thickens a little. Take off the heat, then stir in the crème fraîche, mustard and ham. Season to taste, then cool, if you have time. Spoon the mix into a large pie dish, adding a couple of bay leaves. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7.
• Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to the thickness of a £1 coin. Cut a pastry strip the same width as the lip of the dish, wet the edge of the dish with egg, then fix the strip around it. Brush the top with egg, then lay over the remaining pastry.
• Trim pastry to the edge of the dish, then ruffle the cut edges with the knife blade to help the layers rise. Cut a few slits to let the steam escape, decorate with bay leaves, if you like, then brush all over the top with egg. Can be done up to a day ahead, keep chilled. Bake for 30 mins until risen.

Steps:

• Bring stock to the boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add chicken; return to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked.Remove chicken and chop coarsely. Reserve 1 cup of the poaching liquid.
• In a medium saucepan, heat butter; cook leek and celery, stirring, until leek softens. Add flour and thyme; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually stir in reserved poaching liquid, milk and cream; cook, stirring, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in chicken and mustard; season. Cool.
• Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). Grease a 1-litre (4-cup) pie dish with rim. From one sheet pastry, cut 4 strips slightly wider than dish rim; arrange strips on rim, pressing firmly until rim is covered. Brush with a little egg yolk.
• Spoon filling into dish; roll out remaining pastry sheet slightly to fit pie dish. Place over filling. Press edges to seal; trim. Brush pastry with egg yolk; cut two small slits in top. Bake 25 minutes or until puffed and browned. Sprinkle with extra thyme.