Boozy beef pie by Cheryl, Sussex

Ingredients:

• 500g stewing beef, cut into cubes
• 1 large onion, peeled and sliced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• a stick of celery, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 pint (300ml) beer (Guinness works well but any beer can be substituted)
• 1/2 pint beef or chicken stock (1/2 pint water + 1 stock cube)
• 1 pack or ready-made puff pastry

1) Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onions for a few minutes until they start to soften. Add the beef and continue frying over a moderate heat for 5 minutes, until the meat is browned on all sides.

2) Add the carrots and celery and continue cooking for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly. If the meat starts to stick or the onions start to burn, add a little water and stir well. Be sure to scrape all the bits off the bottom of the pan for extra flavour !

3) Transfer the meat and vegetables to an ovenproof dish and pour over the beer and stock. Stir.

4) Cover with the puff pastry (make a couple of holes to let the steam out) and bake in the oven at 180° for 30-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden-brown

5) Serve with mashed potato and peas