Hot water crust game pie

Try this game terrine filling wrapped in delicious hot water crust pastry for winter buffets or a Boxing Day spread.

Equipment and prepration: you will need a 23x10cm/9x4in terrine mould.

Ingredients

For the hot water crust pastry

200g/7oz plain flour
40g/1½oz strong white flour
50g/1¾oz butter
1 tsp salt
60g/2¼oz lard
1 free-range egg, beaten, for egg wash

For the game terrine

1kg/2lb 4oz game meat (such as breast of pheasant, pigeon, duck or lean venison), diced
500g/1lb 2oz sausage meat
200g/7oz chicken livers, finely chopped
2 handfuls white breadcrumbs
1 free-range egg, beaten
3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
few sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked
2 garlic cloves, chopped
splash brandy
splash red wine

For the shallot chutney

50g/1¾oz butter
8 banana shallots, sliced into rings
75g/2½oz dark brown sugar
2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked
200ml/7fl oz balsamic vinegar

Preparation method

For the hot water crust pastry, combine the flours in a large mixing bowl, then rub the butter in with your fingertips.
For the game terrine, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.
Roll out the reserved third of pastry to form the pie lid and set aside.
Fill the chilled terrine mould with the game filling and place the pastry top on the pie. Crimp round the sides, to seal thoroughly. Brush the lid of the pie with the egg wash.
Bake for 1-1¼ hours.
For the shallot chutney, place the butter in a large frying pan and heat until melted. Add the shallots, cover and cook on a low heat until the shallots have softened and caramelised.
Add the sugar, thyme and vinegar and cook for a further 10 minutes.
To serve, cut a few slices of the game terrine pie and serve with the melba toast and shallot chutney.

Required techniques

James Martin recipes from Saturday Kitchen

Less than 30 mins preparation time

1 to 2 hours cooking time

Serves 6-8