Sophie Conran's chicken & mushroom pie

Food writer and mushroom lover, Sophie Conran, says: "Growing up in the countryside meant that I was spoiled for choice with good quality ingredients on our doorstep and at local markets and village shops. I especially loved the earthy flavours of mushrooms and loved trying new varieties, from Portabello and button to oyster and enoki. We always used to fry them up with eggs. I still love cooking with mushrooms and testing recipes in the kitchen. Because of their texture and flavour they make a great meat-substitute and are wonderful in stews and soups or simply on toast. One of my all time favourite mushroom recipes is my Chicken and Mushroom Pie, ideal for all the family."

"This is a real family pie packed full of chicken, mushrooms and gravy, although it is also lovely with added cooked carrots, or of course, extra mushrooms".

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: About 2 hours
Serves: 4 - 6

Energy(kcal): 726
Protein: 60.1
Fat (g): 38.2
Of which saturates (g): 14.8

Carbohydrate (g): 37.9
Of which sugars (g): 1.7
Fibre (g): 1.2
Salt (g): 1.86

What you need:

• 1 (1.6kg/31/2lb) whole chicken
• 1 onion, halved
• 1 large carrot, peeled
• 1 stick of celery, sliced
• a few sprigs of parsley
• 25g/1oz of butter
• 45ml/3 tbsp plain flour
• 2250g/8oz baby button mushrooms, halved
• 45ml/ 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 (300g) pack ready made puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

What you do:

1. Place the chicken in a large pot with the onion, carrot, celery and parsley and cover with about 1.5ltr/3pts water. Bring to the boil, then gently simmer it for 1 hour or until the chicken is tender.
2. Lift the chicken from the pan, cool slightly, then use a knife and fork to remove all the meat from the bones and skin. Reserve the meat and discard the bones and skin. Drain the stock and discard the vegetables.
3. Return the stock to the heat and boil rapidly for 20 mins or until it is about a third of its original volume. Measure the stock - you should have about 600ml/1pt. This can all be done the previous day if you prefer.
4. Preheat the oven to 220C/Fan 200/Gas Mark 7. Gently melt the butter in a pan, stir in the flour and let it bubble for a couple mins. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, whisking all the time with a balloon whisk until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat, stir in the mushrooms and leave to gently simmer for 4 mins. Season to taste. Cut the chicken into bite sized chunks and stir into the sauce with the parsley.
5. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface. Place a 1.4ltr/2½pt oval pie dish in the centre of the pastry, roughly cut around it. Now cut strips of pastry from the pastry remaining around the edges of the dish. Brush the rim of the pie dish and attach the pastry strips to it. Spoon the chicken filling into the dish. Brush the pastry edges with water then lay the pastry on top.
6. Trim the edges, then pinch them together to seal. Use any scraps of pastry to make decorations for the top, attaching them with water. Brush the top of the pie all over with beaten egg. Make a steam hole in the centre of the pie. Place on a baking tray and bake for 25 mins or until the pastry is golden brown. Serve with creamed potatoes and buttered carrots.

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