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West Country homity pie

West Country homity pie

A traditional West Country open pie that’s cheap, filling and quick to make. It’s best eaten warm rather than hot, and it’s really good cold so ideal for picnics or lunchboxes.

Vegetarian and vegan options: Use mushrooms or smoked tofu instead of bacon. Or use a vegan soya-based cream cheese instead of egg and milk. Allergy advice: Can be made with gluten free flour, lactose free cheese and soya milk.
By Lyndon Gee
Serves 4
Prep/Cook time: 45-60 minutes
a baked filled pie with a crispy golden top layer

Ingredients

150g flour, plain or gluten-free
75ml sunflower or vegetable oil for the pastry, plus an extra dash for frying
50ml cold water
250g cooked root vegetables such as potatoes, parsnips or carrots, chopped
No need to peel, just give them a good wash!
2 onions or leeks, chopped
Use up what you have. Spring onions or shallots work well too.
2 unpeeled apples, cored and chopped
3 rashers bacon, shredded
This recipe works perfectly with frozen meat. Check what you have in your freezer and defrost meat thoroughly before cooking.
75ml milk, or cream or plain yoghurt
100g cheese, grated
1 egg
Salt and pepper

Perfect portions

Use our portion calculator for a quick and simple way to check how much food to serve with this meal.

Use portion calculator

Recipe

  1. Remember to defrost your meat. Defrost in the fridge and use within 24 hours, or in a microwave on ‘defrost’ directly before use. 

    This recipe works perfectly with frozen meat. Check what you have in your freezer and defrost meat thoroughly before cooking.

  2. Place the flour, oil, water and a pinch of salt into a bowl and mix to a dough. If you use wholemeal flour you will need an extra dash of water. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Then sprinkle a flat clean surface with flour and roll out the pastry ½ cm thick, to line a lightly oiled 20cm x 4cm deep round metal tin.

  3. Meanwhile, add a dash of oil to a pan, add the bacon and onions or leeks, and stir regularly until onions start to brown. Add the apples and root vegetables and cook a further 3-4 minutes, still stirring regularly.

  4. Add the milk, ¾ of the cheese, a little salt and pepper. Stir for 1 minute, then mix in the egg and put the mixture into the pastry case.

  5. Top with the rest of the grated cheese and bake 20-25 minutes in a preheated oven 180°C/Gas 6/ 400°F until golden brown.

  6. Use up: Boiled, roast or baked potatoes; other cooked vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans or squash; or cooked chicken.

  7. Variations: Use any cheese including blue or goat’s cheese. Use pears instead of apples; add walnuts. Try smoked bacon or ham, chorizo or smoked haddock.

  8. Extra flavour: Add herbs such as basil, parsley oregano, chives or tarragon. Add a teaspoon Dijon mustard or a teaspoon of curry paste or crushed garlic.

  9. Remember to freeze any portions you don’t eat this time to save them from going in the bin. A great time saver for a simple meal another day when you may be busy. Simply defrost in the fridge and use within 24 hours. 

Make the most of your leftovers
Store in
Airtight container
Time
Fridge for 2 days, freezer 3-6 months
Where to store
Fridge or freezer
Reheat
Oven or microwave until piping hot. Reheat only once.

Perfect portions

Use our portion calculator for a quick and simple way to check how much food to serve with this meal.

Use portion calculator

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Inside of the fridge with someone changing the fridge temperature dial

Keep your fridge at 5°C or below

Did you know that adjusting the temperature of your fridge could help to preserve your food for three days longer than usual? A big win to help keep your food fresher for longer. Our fridge temperature tool can help you learn how to change the temperature on your specific fridge brand.