Braised lamb & goat's cheese pies with gravy
These little bun pies stuffed with tender braised lamb shoulder and creamy goat's cheese can be prepped ahead of time if you're entertaining
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a high heat, then add the beef and cook for 3 mins until browned all over. Tip in the mushrooms and cook for 2 mins. Stir in the tomato purée and pour in the wine, if using, then simmer for 1 min. Pour over the stock, stir, and bring to a simmer. Mix the cornflour with 2 tbsp cold water, then stir it in. Bring to the boil and cook for 3 mins. Season, then turn off the heat. Leave to cool, then tip into a bowl and chill for at least 2 hrs. Can be made a day ahead and chilled.
Roll the pastry out to a rough rectangle on a work surface lightly dusted with flour, to the thickness of a £1 coin. Cut as many 12 x 15cm rectangles as you can out of the pastry (you should have eight in total) and re-roll the trimmings. Put four of the rectangles on a baking sheet and spoon a quarter of the mixture into the middle of each one, leaving a border around the edge.
Brush the borders with some of the egg and drape over another piece of pastry. Gently press the edges together to seal, then use a fork to crimp. Brush the slices all over with more egg and score a criss-cross pattern over the top with the back of a knife, if you like. Can now be frozen, first on the tray, then store in a bag. They’ll be ready to bake from frozen as required.
To cook from fresh or frozen, heat the oven to 210C/190C fan/gas 7. Put on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 mins until puffed up and deep golden and the filling is piping hot. Leave to cool for about 5 mins, then serve.