English Pigeon Pie. Recipe

Pigeon pie has a long and rich history in English cuisine. It has been enjoyed as a traditional dish for many centuries, with variations found in different regions of the country. This succulent pie is filled with tender pigeon meat, complemented by a combination of savory ingredients, making it a hearty and flavorful dish.

Fun fact: Pigeons were often considered a delicacy during medieval times and were frequently enjoyed by royalty and the upper class. The tradition of using pigeon in pies dates back to these times, where it was often used as a luxurious filling for extravagant feasts.

Now, let's dive into the recipe of making a delicious English Pigeon Pie:

Ingredients:

For the filling:
- 4 fresh pigeons, cleaned and dressed
- 1 beef tongue
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

For the pastry:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water

For the garnish:
- Reserved mushrooms from the filling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Start by boiling the beef tongue in a large pot of water until tender, following the package instructions. Once cooked, remove the outer skin, and rub the tongue with butter and beaten egg yolk.

3. Place the beef tongue in a baking dish and add 1/2 cup of the water used to cook the tongue, red wine, and sliced mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Bake the tongue in the preheated oven until it turns a golden brown. This should take around 30-40 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the pastry. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the chilled cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.

6. Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, while gently mixing the dough with your hands. Be careful not to overwork the dough. Stop adding water when the dough comes together and forms a rough ball.

7. Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the butter to chill and the dough to rest.

8. Take one portion of the chilled pastry dough out of the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll it out into a large circle that will fit your pie dish. Line the bottom of the dish with the rolled-out pastry dough.

9. Remove the cooked beef tongue from the baking dish, reserving the liquid and mushrooms for later use. Thinly slice the beef tongue and place it on top of the pastry-lined dish.

10. Now, it's time to prepare the pigeons. Remove the breasts and legs from the pigeons, ensuring they are cleaned and deboned. Season them with salt and pepper.

11. Place the pigeon breasts and legs on top of the sliced beef tongue.

12. Pour the reserved liquid and mushrooms from the beef tongue baking dish over the pigeon meat, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

13. Roll out the second portion of pastry dough to create a circle large enough to cover the filling. Place it on top of the pie and seal the edges by crimping or pressing them together with a fork.

14. Create a small vent in the center of the pie to allow steam to escape during baking.

15. Bake the pie in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the pastry turns golden brown and the pigeon filling is cooked through.

16. Once cooked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish the pie with the reserved mushrooms from the filling before serving.

Enjoy this delightful English Pigeon Pie with family and friends, savoring the flavors and traditions it brings to the table.

Similar recipe dishes you may want to explore:
- Game Pie: Swap the pigeon meat for an assortment of game meats, such as venison, pheasant, and rabbit, for a truly decadent pie.
- Steak and Ale Pie: Use beef instead of pigeon and add ale to the filling for a rich and satisfying pie option.
- Chicken and Mushroom Pie: Substitute chicken for pigeon and add more mushrooms for a classic British pie alternative.

Embrace the culinary heritage of English cuisine with these pie recipes, celebrating the diverse flavors and textures found in traditional British cooking.

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