Hawkshead Wig with a Twist

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cubed
• 4 slices of bacon, chopped 4 slices of bacon, chopped
• 2 onions, thinly sliced 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 250ml (1 cup) beef broth 250ml (1 cup) beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 sheet of puff pastry 1 sheet of puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and cook until caramelized, about 10 minutes. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the beef cubes and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
5. 5.
   Add the minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
6. 6.
   Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat.
7. 7.
   Gradually pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Stir until the mixture thickens.
8. 8.
   Return the bacon, beef, and caramelized onions to the skillet. Add the thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
9. 9.
   Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
10. 10.
    Roll out the puff pastry sheet and place it over the baking dish, covering the filling completely. Trim any excess pastry.
11. 11.
    Brush the pastry with the beaten egg to create a golden crust.
12. 12.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — Choose a tender cut of beef, such as chuck or sirloin, for the best results. Trim any excess fat before cubing.
• Bacon — Opt for thick-cut bacon to add a smoky flavor to the dish.
• Puff pastry — If you prefer a lighter option, you can use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry. Just make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra flavor boost, add a splash of red wine to the filling before baking.
• Serve the Hawkshead Wig with a side of mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought puff pastry instead of making it from scratch.
• Make sure to let the pie cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.

Serving advice

Serve the Hawkshead Wig hot, straight from the oven, for the best experience. Cut it into individual portions and serve with a side of your choice.

Presentation advice

To make the dish visually appealing, garnish the Hawkshead Wig with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves or chopped parsley. This adds a pop of color and freshness to the golden pastry crust.