Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Pate Brisee ...

... a bit more detail for Lee.
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and softened
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch of superfine sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon cold milk
Pop the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl, stir then and the softened butter and rub into the flour mix until it resembles fine bread crumbs.
Mix the egg and COLD milk and slowly add to the flour mix while stirring until it comes together.
Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and bring together to form a ball. Do not over knead.
Flatten the ball and wrap in plastic, pop in the fridge for at least 1 hour before rolling out to fit your pie/tart pan.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Egg&Bacon Pie

A true pie, not some nancy-boy, girls'-blouse quiche*
Get you some puff pastry, frozen or home made I won't judge you
10-12 slices of good bacon
12 eggies + 1 more - a bakers' dozen
salt & pepper
Herbs from the garden - I generally use chives & parsley but whatever you have that goes with eggs will be fine - chop 'em fine

Pre-heat the oven to 215c (419f)
Line your pie dish with baking paper and then pastry (really, it makes it so much easier to get the pie out in the end), remember to keep some for the lid. (I use my lovely Le Creuset’s Terrine because it makes a lovely high log of a pie.)
The original recipe called for you to "gently cook the bacon" but I've never bothered and it always turns out just fine & dandy.
So, line the base of the pastry crust with bacon & carefully break in a layer of eggs. A crank of pepper and a sprinkle of herbs then another layer of bacon and eggs (keep 1 for later) until you've run out. I try to end with a layer of bacon.
Pop on the lid, crimp & tidy the edges and brush over with the last egg. (I also try to use a little leftover pastry for some pretties on top.)
Whack in the oven for about 30 - 40 minutes - after about 10 minutes, turn down the heat to 200c (392f).
Now here's the clever bit, after the 40 minutes, turn off the oven and let the pie cool in there! It's a way of making sure your eggs are fully set.
When totally cold, slice through and marvel at the pretty patterns the egg whites, yolks, bacon & herbs make in each slice.