Game Pie

Serves 4

• 500g Gressingham diced game
• 225g/8oz venison steak cut into 2.5cm/1in cubes
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 120g/4oz smoked streaky bacon, de–rinded and chopped
• 120g/4oz chestnut mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
• 30g/1oz plain flour
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 orange, zest and juice
• 1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
• 300ml / ½ pint chicken stock
• 300ml / ½ pint red wine
• 340g/12oz puff pastry
• Salt and pepper

Pre-heat oven to 200°C / gas mark 6

Heat a tablespoon of the oil and brown the game and venison in batches until well browned. Keep to one side.

Heat the rest of the oil and cook the onions for five minutes until starting to soften. Add the garlic, bacon and mushrooms and cook for another 2–3 minutes.

Stir in the flour and cook for two minutes. Season well and stir in the bay leaf, orange zest and juice, redcurrant jelly, stock and wine.

Bring to the boil, add the meat and simmer gently for 40–50 minutes until the meat is tender. Cool.

Put the meat mixture in a pie dish. Roll out the pastry to make a lid and attach to the dish. Decorate with the pastry trimmings and cut a steam hole in the centre. Glaze with beaten egg.

Bake for 20 minutes and then reduce the heat to 180°C / Gas mark 4 for 30 minutes until the pastry is golden and risen and the filling is piping hot.

Serve with vegetables and enjoy!