Pies

I like making pies, but not pastry. That's ok as pastry can easily be bought.  Pies can be crafted though.

Pierate.

Emoji pie.

Bridge on the river pie (not my best visually, but proud of the name and concept).

Kitty Pie

The pie fillings of choice are usually beef stew with gravy or leftover roast chicken with gravy (there's an unashamed gravy and leftover theme).

Method (pie):

Buy some good individual pie dishes (one off purchase).

Buy some puff pastry (needs replenishing every so often), one purchase = 4 pies.

Fill the pie dishes with veges, meat and gravy.

Top with the bought puff in a decorative manner.

Roast at 190 Celsius (fan) for 25 minutes with extra veges like parsnips and savoy cabbage alongside.

To make a quick brown gravy - for 4:

Colour 1 diced onion and a sliced stick of celery in butter with a sprinkle of salt.  Cook for around 20 minutes.

Add 200ml beef stock and 200ml stout or red wine.

Add 1 tsp dijon mustard and optionally a bay leaf or sprig of thyme (greenery is good).

Simmer until reduced by half then thicken with 2 tsp cornflour mixed with the same amount of red wine or beer. Stop cooking when it starts bubbling like a volcano then strain.