The missus has been ill since Christmas, getting better now.
As I have not been able to leave the house I thought that I would use the time to re-learn my cooking skills. Anyway here are the results some of my experiments.

looks realy nice

we need smellovision or tastradio to get the full advantage

dont forget you can use an eggcup small tumbler or sutable sized object to support the centre off the pastry raising it above the contents thus keep it crisp and flakey

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we are all ------------------still learning

The delivery men now keep asking "what's cooking today then?" when I open the door and they catch the aroma.

As it happens I did put an upside down cup in the pie ta you can make out the outline of the base if you squint a bit , I remember my mum doing it.

Any other Piemen on here? If so why not post a few photos and/or recipies?

You need a blackbird.

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If at first you don't succeed, ask UHM in your hour of need!

When I made a shepherds pie for the in-laws, I found some brandy left over from Christmas cakes and put a gurt big dollop in the gravy mix.

Picked then up from airport, settled them down, served it and went home.

They rang wifey to say how nice it was

My recipe is now he talk of the family:thumbright:


John

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Growing old is compulsory, growing up is not!

Couldn't catch a blackbird, will this do?

Grockle

Looks nice but to stop the lid shrinking from the side, put a strip of pastry onto the pie dish rim first, use a little egg wash or water brush onto it to "glue" in place. Then brush the top edge with egg wash or water and lay the lid on to it before pressing onto the strip and edging. I'll get you a link to explain better. Never heard of a pie funnel in the shape of a blackbird? I'll get a pic.

Blackbird explained

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If at first you don't succeed, ask UHM in your hour of need!

A video explaining how to put a pastry lid on a pie dish.
Put a lid on it!

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If at first you don't succeed, ask UHM in your hour of need!

As I was feeling fruity, I made up this dish.
I pre-cooked some blueberries and some apple.
Then I half filled the dish with blueberries then topped up with the apple. A puff pastry top was added.

It tasted nicer than it looks!

Off topic but I must say that this is one of the best years I have had with my veg garden.
Top notch 'Hispi' cabbage and 'all the year round' cauliflowers. The broad beans also did well and the runner beans never stop cropping. A large crop of mid and late crop potatoes too. The tomatoes are only average but the cucumber have produced the best crop ever. My crop of hot peppers are just turning red.