Ingredients
Dom In The Kitchen - Christmas Ham, Apple & Fennel Pie with a Creamy Stilton Sauce
Directions
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Step 1 You will need a 20cm round metal pie dish, which you should butter and place onto a metal baking sheet.
Start with the pastry...
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Step 3 Place the flour, butter and cheese into a large bowl, and rub them all together with your fingertips until they resemble breadcrumbs.
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Step 4 Stir in the fresh herbs and then add a little bit of water.
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Step 5 Using one hand in a claw-shape, start to stir the crumbs together until they begin to form a dough.
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Step 6 Add a little more water if needed to bring the whole lot together into a ball of dough. You can almost clean the bowl with the ball of dough.
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Step 7 Once the ball of dough is formed, divide into two equal parts. Flatten them out into 2 disks, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Time to sauté the veg...
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Step 9 Add a little butter and olive oil to a pan on a medium heat. Add the mushrooms and fresh herbs, and sauté for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften and pick up a little colour.
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Step 10 Add a little more butter and stir in the fennel and leeks. Sauté for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Step 11 Finally, stir in the apple and ham, then take it off the heat and set aside.
Now onto the cheese sauce...
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Step 13 Pour the milk into a pan on a medium heat.
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Step 14 Add the butter and flour. Whisk gently for roughly 5 minutes until the butter has melted and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
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Step 15 Stir in the cider, then turn the heat to low and simmer gently for another 3 minutes.
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Step 16 Stir in the cheese, then season with salt and pepper.
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Step 17 Pour the cheese sauce into the pan with the sautéed veg and ham and stir well. Set aside whilst you roll out the pastry.
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Step 18 Preheat the oven to 200°C (180ºC fan / 400°F / Gas 6).
Time to build the pie...
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Step 20 Roll out both disks of pastry on a floured board, and line the base of the pie tin with one of the disks. Trim the edges, then pour in the creamy sauce.
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Step 21 Lay the second disk of pastry on top of the pie. Tuck the edges of the top disk under the edges of the bottom disk and crimp using whatever method you’re comfortable with.
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Step 22 Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden. Serve warm with leftover vegetables.