2prepared pie crustsmost recipes make enough for the pie top and bottom
1large baking potato peeled and chopped in big pieces
2tspsalt
1tspblack pepper
1tspdried thyme
1tsponion powder
½tspdried sage
½tspground cinnamon
½tspground ginger
¼tspfreshly grated nutmeg
¼tspground allspice
¼tspground mustard
⅛tspground cloves
⅛tspcayenne pepper
2tbspbutter
1pinchsalt
½cdiced celeryappx 2 large stalks
4clovesgarlicfinely diced or crushed
1lbground pork
1lbground beef
1cpotato cooking waterplus more as needed
1large egg
1tbspwater
Instructions
Make the Filling
In a medium saucepan, add chopped potatoes and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until very tender, about 12-15 minutes.
Pour about 1 c of the cooking liquid into a measuring cup. Drain the rest through a colander, then add the potatoes back to the saucepan. Mash the potatoes in the saucepan and set aside.
Whisk together salt, black pepper, onion powder, thyme, sage, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, mustard, clove, and cayenne in a small mixing bowl.
Turn the stove to medium heat, add the butter to the large frying pan and cook until melted. Add the celery and garlic, then sprinkle evenly with spice mixture. stir well until celery is well-coated.
Add the meat and 1 c potato cooking water to the frying pan. Keep on medium heat and cook, stirring a lot at first, and then only occasionally, uncovered, until the meat is brown and most of the potato water has reduced (30-45 minutes depending on altitude, stove, and other factors).
Take the pan off the heat, add the mashed potatoes to the mixture, and let it cook to room temperature (about 30 minutes depending on the temperature of your kitchen).
Bake the Pie
Preheat your oven to 375℉ or 190℃.
Skip for store-bought dough. Divide your pie dough in half and roll out in a circle of about 12 inches in diameter. Place in the pie plate, ensuring the lip of the plate is totally covered. Save the other half for now.
Fill the bottom crust with all of the meat mixture, making sure the top is as even as possible.
Whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon water in another small bowl until totally smooth.
With a pastry brush, brush the egg mix around the edges of the exposed part of the crust.
Roll out the remaining half of the crust in a circle about 1/4 inch thick, and lay on top of the pie. If using store bought, take the second crust out of the pie plate and roll out with a rolling pin.
With sharp kitchen shears, cut the excess pie off around the edges.
Use a fork (or your preferred crimping method) to smash the top and bottom edges of the pie together to seal it.
Using a sharp paring knife. cut slits in the top of the pie to vent steam as it bakes.
Brush the top crust generously with the egg wash.
Bake until the pie is a deep golden brown, about 1 hour.
Serve warm or at room temperature for a delicious addition to a ploughman's lunch.