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Scotch pies
Hot-water-crust mutton pies from the football terraces
BritishThe Scotch pie is the straight-sided, double-crust mutton pie eaten at half time on football terraces and bought from butchers' counters in every Scottish town, with an open rim at the top for adding gravy, beans or mash. The pastry is a hot water crust made with lard (an animal fat) and the filling is peppery minced mutton or lamb. Chef's tip: shape the pastry while it is still warm; cold hot-water pastry cracks.
- Total time
- 95 min
- Difficulty
- hard
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the filling
For the pastry
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Fresh ingredients (3)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix the 1 ⅛ lb lamb or mutton mince, 1 small onion, ½ tsp ground mace, ¼ tsp grated nutmeg, 1 tsp white pepper, 1 tsp salt and ¼ cup lamb or beef stock well with your hands and chill.
5 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 400°F (350°F fan). Put the 16 oz plain flour and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Heat the 4 oz lard and ¾ cup water until the lard melts and the water boils, then pour onto the flour and mix to a smooth dough.
8 minStep 3: Keep a quarter of the dough covered and warm. Divide the rest into 6 and raise each into a straight-sided case about 9 cm across and 4 cm high around a floured jar or glass, then slide off.
20 minStep 4: Fill each case three-quarters full with the filling. Roll lids from the reserved dough, wet the edges, press them on 1 cm below the rim and cut a steam hole. Brush with 1 egg.
15 minStep 5: Bake on a lined tray for 30–35 minutes, until the pastry is golden and a probe in the filling reads 160°F. A common mistake is filling to the top, which makes the juices boil over and soften the crust.
35 minStep 6: Rest 5 minutes and eat hot, with gravy or baked beans poured into the top.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 540 kcal
- Protein
- 20 g
- Carbs
- 38 g
- Fat
- 34 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does scotch pies take?
- About 95 minutes in total: 60 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of small onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of ground mace?
- Ground nutmeg, same amount (a little stronger).
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