Legendary Lamb Pie Recipes

SPICED LAMB HAND PIES

Steps:

• Bring vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Add currants; set aside.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomato paste, cumin, ginger, cardamom, and turmeric and cook until fragrant and sticky, about 1 minute. Add lamb and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Stir in peas; cook until bright green, about 5 minutes. Drain reserved currants and add to lamb along with parsley. Let cool.
• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Working with one at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 12" squares. Cut each into 4 squares; transfer to 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. Spoon filling onto one side of squares, leaving 1/2" border. Brush edges with egg and fold dough over filling. Press to seal; crimp with a fork. Cut a few vents in tops; brush with egg.
• Bake until pies are golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Do ahead: Filling can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

INDIVIDUAL LAMB PIES

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium-heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season lamb with salt and pepper. Cook lamb until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add remaining tablespoon oil to the pot. Add onion, celery, and mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in ginger, thyme, cloves, lamb, stock, wine, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer; cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Gently simmer until lamb is tender, about 2 hours. Stir in prunes. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool completely.
• Divide dough in half. Wrap half in plastic; refrigerate until ready to use. Roll out other dough half on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out four 6-inch rounds. Transfer 1 round to each of four 5-inch pie plates. Divide stew among pies. Roll out remaining dough a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out four 7-inch rounds. Randomly punch out circles from rounds with a 1/2 inch round pastry tip (such as Ateco #806). Cover each pie with a round. Tuck edges under; press gently to seal. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk cream and egg yolk in a small bowl. Brush crusts with egg wash. Bake pies on a rimmed baking sheet until crusts are golden brown and juices are bubbling, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 15 minutes.

DEEP-DISH LAMB PIE

Steps:

• Place potatoes and milk in a saucepan. Simmer slowly, about 6 minutes. Add celery root. Simmer until tender, about 6 additional minutes. Drain, reserving milk. Pass potato and celery root through a food mill. Stir in 1/2 cup of the reserved milk, 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 7 minutes. Add the lamb and the spices. Increase the heat to medium high. Cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining ingredients, including reserved milk and remaining salt. Increase the heat to high. Simmer 5 minutes.
• Place lamb mixture in a 10-inch quiche dish. Spread the potato puree evenly over the top. Cover with foil. Bake 1 hour.
• Preheat broiler. Place dish under broiler until top is brown.