INGREDIENTS

METHOD

For the Filling

800g pork shoulder, minced or finely chopped
400g pork belly, half minced and half chopped
250g smoked bacon, cubed
½ tsp ground mace
2 large pinches ground nutmeg
1 tbsp fresh chopped sage
1 tsp fresh chopped thyme
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground white pepper

For the Pastry

575g plain flour
200g lard or shortening
220ml water

TIPS

Once you have combined your pastry ingredients work quickly so the dough remains warm and pliable. It will become crumbly as it cools.

If the top starts to darken too much, make a tin foil ‘hat’ and place over top of pastry.

STEP 1

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients for the filling.

STEP 2

To make the pastry, put the flour in a large bowl, then put the lard and water into a small pan and heat gently until the lard melts. Bring just to the boil and then stir into the flour using a wooden spoon. When the mixture is cool enough to handle, (it should still feel very warm) knead well until smooth.

STEP 3

Cut off 1/4 of the dough, wrap in cling film and reserve for the lid. Roll out the remaining dough to a circle and then place in the base of a non-stick 20cm springform cake tin. Working quickly while the dough is warm and pliable, press the dough evenly over the base and up the sides of the tin. Make sure there are no holes. Fill with the meat mixture and pack down well. Roll out the dough for the lid. Place on top of the pie. Pinch all around the edge to seal the pie. Make a hole for steam in the centre, using the handle of a wooden spoon.

STEP 4

Bake in the oven for 30 mins then reduce the heat to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and cook for 90 minutes. Brush the top with beaten egg and return to the oven for a further 20 mins. Leave until cold.