Steak & ale pie

Footie Fans and top TV chefs The Hairy Bikers have teamed up with npower to create 32 dishes, one for every team taking part in the World Cup. What else could England's be than steak and ale pie?

Serves: 4

What you need:

• 900g stewing beef, diced
• 25g flour, plus extra for dusting
• 100g butter
• 2 onions, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
• 150g button mushrooms
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 400ml good quality ale
• 500ml beef stock
• Salt and pepper
• 1 egg beaten for glazing
• 300g ready-made rolled puff pastry

What you do:

1. Preheat the over to 220ËšC/ Gas 7
2. Pour flour into a bowl and season well
3. Coat the meat with the seasoned flour
4. Heat half the butter in a heated pan and add the meat. Sear all over until golden brown
5. Add the vegetables, herbs, ale and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cover with a lid and gently simmer for 1 hour
6. When cooked, season, add the remaining butter and pour into an ovenproof serving dish
7. Brush the edge of the dish with the beaten egg
8. Roll out the pastry using as little flour as possible and place over the dish
9. Pinch the edges of the dish so that the pastry will stick to it and trim off any remaining pieces of pastry from around the edge
10. Brush the pastry top thoroughly with the remaining beaten egg and place on a baking tray
11. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the pastry is golden brown on top

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