STAND UP PIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients for the filling.
• To make the pastry, put the flour in a large bowl, then put the lard and water into a small pan and heat gently until the lard melts. Bring just to the boil and then stir into the flour using a wooden spoon. When the mixture is cool enough to handle, (it should still feel very warm) knead well until smooth.
• Cut off 1/4 of the dough, wrap in cling film and reserve for the lid. Roll out the remaining dough to a circle and then place in the base of a non-stick 20cm springform cake tin. Working quickly while the dough is warm and pliable, press the dough evenly over the base and up the sides of the tin. Make sure there are no holes. Fill with the meat mixture and pack down well. Roll out the dough for the lid. Place on top of the pie. Pinch all around the edge to seal the pie. Make a hole for steam in the centre, using the handle of a wooden spoon.
• Cook in the oven for 30 mins then reduce the heat to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and cook for 90 minutes. Brush the top with beaten egg and return to the oven for a further 20 mins. Leave until cold.
• Soak the gelatine in cold water for about 5 mins, then remove and squeeze out the excess water. Heat the stock until almost boiling. Remove from the heat and stir in the gelatine. Leave to cool to room temperature.
• Use a small funnel to pour the stock into the pie through the hole in the top. Pour in a little at a time allowing a few seconds before each addition. Place in the fridge to set overnight. Watch our pork pie video for techniques and tips.

Steps:

• Ground Meat: In a large bowl, combine fatback, chicken livers, chicken thighs, and pork shoulder. Pass through medium blade of a meat grinder into another large bowl.
• Filling: In a small skillet, heat oil over medium-low; add shallots and cook until well caramelized. Let cool completely, then add to ground-meat mixture. Add fatback, chicken livers, chicken thighs, and pork shoulder; mix to combine. Add brandy, sage, thyme, spices, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; mix to combine. Fold in pistachios. Refrigerate, covered, while you make crust.
• Hot-Water Crust: Preheat oven to 375 degrees with rack in center. In a large bowl, whisk together flours and salt. In a small saucepan, bring butter, lard, and 1/2 cup water to a boil, then remove from heat, pour over flour mixture, and mix with a wooden spoon until a ball of shaggy dough forms. On a lightly floured surface, knead until smooth, about 3 minutes. Divide dough in half; set one half aside. Cut remaining half into two equal pieces; wrap separately in plastic to prevent drying out. Working quickly (dough is best to work with while warm), roll out reserved dough half between two sheets of parchment to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using the base of a 10-inch springform pan as a guide, cut a round from dough; fit into bottom of pan, pressing into place and patching dough as needed. Remove plastic from one of the dough pieces. Cut dough into 4-inch wide strips; press up sides of pan to cover completely, rerolling dough and patching as needed (dough should come up sides of pan to reach top edge). Firmly press dough into place to ensure there are no holes. Reserve any remaining dough scraps. Brush dough with a thin layer of egg wash to prevent any leaks.
• Add filling to crust, smoothing surface with an offset spatula. Remove plastic from remaining piece of dough; on a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 1/4-inch-thick round. Place round over filling; press edges to seal with dough on sides of pan. Create a vent by inserting the handle of a wooden spoon into center and making a hole. Make a second hole near edge of pie. On a lightly floured surface, reroll reserved dough scraps to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch leaf cutter, cut out leaves and score with the back of a paring knife. Brush bottoms of leaves with egg wash; adhere to top crust in a decorative pattern (be careful not to cover vents). Using a 3-inch flower cutter, cut out a flower and make a hole in the center. Place flower over vent in center of pie, making sure holes align. Transfer pie to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake until crust is golden and a thermometer inserted into vent reads 160 degrees, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Carefully remove from oven and gently remove sides of pan. Brush top and sides of crust with egg wash, then continue baking until deeply golden, about 15 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely, at least 2 hours.
• Aspic: Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons water; let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Add to 1/2 cup heated chicken stock; let stand until gelatin has dissolved. Insert a funnel into vent along edge of the pie; slowly add stock mixture, a little at a time, so it does not overflow. Refrigerate pie overnight; bring to room temperature before serving.