Shop Bought Pastry - It's Really Quite Good!

Yes, I know what you mean..some of the smaller outlets do quite good pies made on the premises. The stuff at Gregg's the bakers though..well, all the fillings look the same so it does make you wonder what on earth they are putting in them. Hollands Pies seem to be using the same fillings for everything these days...which is why I wanted to have a go at making my own. Anyway, it's smelling good so I'm about to pre-heat the oven now..then, once the simmering meat is finished, I can complete my pie and cook it. If it's good I'll take a photo of it!

All these yummy food discussions just really make me hungry, but it is just about too hot to cook anything. Janey, I am so glad you are finding your way about the kitchen, as it satisfies both the soul and the stomach.

they do sell dough there as well. and yes, malleable is a great word!

It is isn't it? We have a bakery called Routledges and it's family run. There are a few of them dotted around Carlisle where we live, one of which is just round the corner from our house!! My favourite food from there is something really simple actually..Iced Finger Rolls and yes, I will make them one day 'cos they're so scrummy!

I can say i would rather go and buy.. i am not that good in making pastries

Yes, the time factor can be important if you haven't got any lol. The pastry in question is very good but I can't help thinking that I can do better...but I shall use the rest up, then have a go at making my own.

Oh my the steak pie was a HUGE success. I'm really pleased with myself and the best thing is...we have two extra pieces so one pie does us two days! I will put the two extra pieces in the fridge once they're cold as I have a professional looking plastic container for such things. Haha! In a few hours I shall make Mum's recipe of Cheese and Egg Flan which is something I really like to eat at her house. I'll be extremely chuffed if it turns out the same way as my steak pie. I'm sooo enjoying myself right now, I'm finding this cooking lark therapeutic and I thought I'd get bored with it by now. In fact, it's quite the opposite and I just want to make more and more, especially if something I make is successful..it's a confidence-booster to spur me on. Plus nice comments from John saying the steak pie is a "10 out of 10" helps enormously! Whoopee! What an endorsement that is from the King Of The Pie-Eaters!

Ta very much. You could always cheat and buy the shop bought stuff.

I DO have a sense of achievement, you're quite right. It was lovely making something that I know was better for us than buying a pie from a shop that has allsorts in it, of course. At least I know what's going in mine! The rolling-pin is awesome..as rolling-pins go!

Honestly, GardenGerty, after eating my steak pie I shall never, ever eat a processed pie ever again. It was awesome and I was so pleased that I improvised by putting bit more pastry on the top as small holes were appearing (pastry a bit thin but it worked) so it didn't look pretty but, boy, was it worth the time and effort it took to make! Cheese flan tomorrow, I can hardly contain my excitement lol.

I shall PM you the recipe. A word of warning though..I may have used too much stock (in my case gravy because I didn't have any) but I guess it depends on how big your receptacle for the pie is. I actually improvised as the top of the pie was a bit er, thin so I put some more pastry on it and it worked. How did it taste? Absolutely AWESOME and hubby gave it 10 out of 10! As for the seasonings, I kept it simple. Didn't bother with herbs..just salt, pepper and my trusted onion granules and it all went swimmingly. Gonna make a cheese flan with the rest of the pastry in a few hours.