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| Meat pies from Burland, Llangollen canal |
British pies on the the other hand are thick, crispy shells of short crust pastry browned to perfection and filled with a choice of Steak and Ale--large, tender chunks of delicious English beef and a rich brown gravy flavored with Ale; chicken and mushroom--again large, tender chunks of chicken, and a white, creamy gravy flavored with the merest hint of nutmeg, perhaps a bit of tarragon, and plump, juicy mushroom pieces.
There are other flavors--Steak and Kidney, minced beef and onion for example. Mmmm! Also available are cold pork pies to eat with a cold salad. I found those too lardy tasting for my appetite.
When the rain rattles on the roof, and the wind blows a gale, there is nothing better than a good meat pie full of tender meat and rich thick gravy. I've been following the "Meat Pie Diet" for years, it doesn't work!
ReplyDeleteHow rude of Me!
ReplyDeleteI have posted on your blog without introducing myself.
Hi Les and Jaqueline,
Regards
Chris (nb Tilly May)
Hmm I know of two local independent butchers (both English bred) who do a similar decent meat pie, they are not frozen rather chilled and you should use them within a day or two of purchase. A meal in itself. Think the last time I looked they C$5.99 each for a piece roughly eight inches in diameter. Thin crust, big chunks of well done steak and beef
ReplyDeletepeas, carrots, and corn. Reading about the English meat pies tells me I need to go by my butcher
and purchase some pies. I freeze them when I get home and keep one for the day of purchase. Sadly narrow boats don't have a stand alone freezer do they Jaq?
Hi Jaq and Les!
ReplyDeleteHee hee! You have discovered pies!
Wondrous!
If I may offer some advice re: cold pork pies... Buy the very best on offer, made with actual pork, not some nondescript mechanically reclaimed meat.
Melton Mowbray pies are interesting, and gala pies have an egg running through them!
Pork pies aren't intended to be eaten whole by one person (though believe me, it can be done!).
Better, they go with a nice buffet style salad. Or try on their own with English mustard, pickled onions, piccalli, or gherkins. (The vinegar in all the above ameliorates the lardy overtones of the pie beautifully.)
Having said that, I'm just about to tuck into fish and chips!
:-)
John
Hello Chris,
ReplyDeleteLovely to make your acquaintance. I don't think I will try the meat pie diet but I certainly will be on the look out for good shops to purchase them occasonaly for dinner!
Jaq
Hi Bryce,
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised Canadians have access to something very British in nature while your lesser U.S. cousins are left clueless.
It is the same with candy I am sad to report. In Canada, Nestle's sell Coffee Crisps. They do not market or sell those in the States. I was euphoric to discover Coffee Crisps in BC some years back; devastated to discover the U.S. candy company wouldn't even consider selling them in the States.
Jaq
Hello john,
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking me in hand and providing some tips for eating pork pies. I will give Melton Mowbray's a try. The ones we bought were of a generic Tescos variety. It was like eating a pig flavored rock!
Jaq
Carol
ReplyDeleteNot sure what your comment meant but the link says page not available on this blog. Not put the link on here just in case. So a bit puzzled about your comment.
LES
Hi Les - it was a copy of the title of one of your postings that came up on my blog when I opened it - on the left side - blogs that I follow. But when I opened it it was a blank page - just thought you should know about it.
ReplyDeleteregards to you both
Carol