This pie is a real showstopper. It will take a few hours to make, so enjoy it! There’s no point rushing a recipe like this. The pastry is robust and will contain the layers of filling well. However, do take care when you cut into it, because all the juices will run out - it’s worth cutting it on a tray or a lipped plate to contain these and stop them running into peoples’ laps...
This pie would be marvellous served at a festive celebration or just as a weekend highlight. Why not? We love to serve this pie with a red wine gravy.
First, make the pastry: Put the flour and butter into a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the milk, sugar and salt to a small saucepan and heat just until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Add the milk mixture to the food processor and combine until you have a dough. Wrap in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least half an hour while you make the other elements.
Vegetable layer: Blanch the carrots for 1 minute in boiling salted water, then drain. Blanch the whole cabbage leaves for 1 minute and then dry them. Set aside.
Heat a frying pan and add a thick slice of butter (around 15g). Saute the chopped mushrooms for 5 minutes or until their liquid has evaporated. Add the leeks until soft, then add the carrots and parsley, season and cool.
Make the farce: Tear the bread into small pieces and place in a small bowl. Add the cream and mash to a paste.
Place the ground veal in a mixing bowl. Season and add the nutmeg and cloves. Add the bread mixture, then transfer to a food processor and add the garlic, spices and salt. Blend until light and fluffy. Refrigerate while you finish the other elements.
Prepare the chicken livers: Trim any sinew from the livers, then sear them in a frying pan with a splash of hot oil, until browned. Season and set aside.
Roll out the pastry: Cut off a rough third of the pastry, then wrap and return the remainder to the fridge. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to the thickness of a £1 coin - a 9-10 inch circle. Cover and chill.
To assemble the pie: Preheat the oven to 200C.
Oil and line a plastic bowl with cling film or an alternative wrapping (something that won’t stick to the bowl), then layer up the fillings. Add the cabbage leaves first, as these will contain your other fillings. Then, add half the farce mixture, pressing down to ensure it’s evenly spread.
Place the shredded confit duck in a ring around the edge, then fill the centre with vegetables. Top with the chicken livers, then add the remaining farce.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the remaining pastry to a circle, roughly 14 inches in diameter.
Remove the pastry circle from the fridge, and turn out the filling onto it, so that the cabbage leaves are now on top.
Cover with the large piece of pastry, then flatten down the sides, expelling any air. Trim the pastry, then brush the bottom edge with beaten egg. Seal and crimp with a fork. Make a small hole in the top of the pie.
Brush the whole pie with beaten egg
Baking the pie: Bake for 25 minutes, then open the oven and turn the pie to ensure even cooking. Cook for a further 25 minutes, or until a probe thermometer registers 55C. If the pies begin to look too dark, reduce the oven temperature to 180C. Rest for 20 minutes before serving.
You can't beat a classic dish, and the hallmark of a great stuffed mushroom is the renowned Portobello Mushroom. Tender and meaty, Portobello mushrooms are firm favourite as a meat-free starter. Preparing a stuffed Portobello mushroom is simple and quick; chop up the stalk and flash fry with butter,...
If you want to make a rich luscious pate or savoury mousse with a light edge, chicken liver is the way to go. This liver is excellent quality and can be easily stored in the freezer for when you need it most .It’s a great buy if you happen to be catering for a large party and the emphasis is o...
Veal is a lean and tasty meat with little fat. Veal meat is tender due to the muscles not being as used as much. In Italy, veal mince is often used alongside beef or pork mince to make a delicious Bolognese or ragu sauce. In Sweden, veal mince is used to make burgers or meatballs, served with a Li...
Introducing Spanish Dry Aged Beef: On The Bone!
The Galician Blond Rib (Txuleton) comes from the highly regarded Rubia Gallega cattle breed, native to Galicia, Spain. These cows are known for their exceptional marbling, deep flavour and rich yellow fat, a signature of their high-quality diet and na...
USDA Prime Sirloin Roast: A Cut Above the Rest!
This American sirloin roast is a top-tier cut of beef, known for its rich marbling, tender texture and deep, beefy flavour. Sourced from the highest quality cattle, this roast offers an exceptional dining experience, making it a prime choice for speci...
Valentine’s Day Food Lovers Box: The Ultimate Gourmet Experience!
Indulge in an unforgettable Valentine’s Day celebration with our delicious food gift, a luxurious selection of the finest delicacies curated for romance and refined taste. Whether you're planning a cosy night in or a lavish surpr...
Introducing Raw Sturgeon Fillet!
Our raw Siberian sturgeon fillet (Acipenser baerii) offers a premium seafood experience, ideal for gourmets and culinary adventurers. Its skin, dark grey and free of horn plates, gives the sturgeon fillet a sleek and refined appearance. Its meat is light in colour w...