Slow-cooked beef & red wine pies

Pie season is upon us and this slow-cooked beef and red wine pie recipe is the ultimate cool weather comfort food. This easy recipe makes six individual pies and uses Redman Cabernet Sauvignon in the filling to slow-cook the beef until meltingly tender.

Ingredients:

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup plain flour

1kg beef chuck steak, cut into 4cm pieces

2 large brown onions, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp thyme leaves, plus extra sprigs, to serve

1 tbs tomato paste

1 tbs Worcestershire sauce

1 cup (250ml) Redman Cabernet Sauvignon

2 cups (500ml) beef stock

3 sheets shortcrust pastry, thawed

3 sheets puff pastry, thawed

1 egg yolk, lightly beaten

Tomato chutney, to serve

Method:

1. Heat 1 tbs oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Season flour with salt and pepper, then toss beef in flour and cook in batches until browned, adding extra oil if needed. Transfer meat to a bowl.

2. Return pan to heat and reduce heat to medium. Heat remaining 1 tbs oil and cook onion, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft. Add garlic, thyme, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Stir in wine, bring to the boil and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes or until reduced by half. Gradually stir in stock. Return beef to pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Uncover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until beef is tender and sauce has thickened slightly. Cool mixture completely.

3. Preheat oven to 200°C fan-forced (220°C conventional). Arrange six individual pie tins on a baking tray. Line tins with shortcrust pastry, allowing the sides to overhang. Brush the edges with a little of the egg yolk. Divide the beef mixture evenly among the pastry cases. Cut puff pastry rounds to fit the tops of the pie dishes and place on top of the beef mixture. Use a fork to press the edges to seal. Brush the pies with the remaining egg.

4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until pastry is golden and puffed. Serve with tomato chutney on the side.

Makes 6

Image source: Pinterest