Ingredients:
2 lb beef, cut into 1/2” cubes
2 lb pork, cut into 1/2” cubes
3-4 lb cut-up chicken, whole chicken or stewing hen
3 large celery ribs, thinly sliced and their tops (reserve ribs for filling)
3 cooking onions, chopped
3 bay leaves
1 small carrot, cut into 3 pieces
1/2 cup reserved fat (from beef, pork and chicken) and/or butter
1 medium Spanish onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
1 tbsp Salted Herbs*
1 tbsp summer savory
1 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp each, cloves and all-spice
1/2 cup flour
6 cups reserved stocks
1-2 tsp each, salt and pepper
Prepared pastry for 3 double crust 9” pies
Preparation Method:
1. Place meats and chicken in three separate stock pots with celery tops, bay leaves and cooking onions divided equally.
2. Add carrot pieces and enough water to cover the meats.
3. Place any reserved bones and fat in a roasting pan and roast in oven at 425F for about 40-45 minutes until fat is crispy. Drain and reserve.
4. Tie crispy fat pieces in cheese cloth and place in pot with meats. Cook meats for 1 1/2 hours or until tender.
5. Cook chicken until tender and legs separate easily, about 1 1/2 hours. Allow to cool. Drain and reserve.
6. While chicken is still warm separate the meat. Remove bones, skin, fat and discard.
7. Chill meats and chicken. Cut chicken into 1” pieces.
8. Melt reserved fats in a large stock pot. Add onion, celery, garlic, ginger and remaining spices. Cook until the onions are soft and flavours mix, about 5-7 minutes.
9. Sprinkle in flour and stir well. Gradually add 6 cups of reserved stocks. Stir until boiling and sauce thickens. Reduce heat. Cover; continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
10. Add cooked meat and chicken. Add salt and pepper. The filling should be very moist.
11. Fill pastry shells. Cover with top pastry. Vent pastry.
12. Bake at 425F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375F and continue to bake for 10-15 minutes more or until filling is hot in centre and crust is golden brown. Servings: 4-6
* Salted Herbs are an Acadian way of preserving summer herbs. They are available at most local grocers.
Source: www.occasionsmagazine.ca