MINCE PIES

Preparation time: 15 min         Cooking time: 45 min
INGREDIENTS:      Serves 4
30ml  olive oil
1  onion, chopped
1  carrot, chopped
2  celery stalks, chopped
10ml  meat spices of your choice
350g  minced meat
250g  mushrooms, halved
20ml  tomato paste
300ml  beef stock
3  potatoes, peeled
1  roll ready-made puff pastry
1  egg, beaten

METHOD:

• Heat oil and fry onion, carrot and celery for 3 minutes. Add the spices and the mince and cook, crumbling the meat to ensure it browns evenly. Add the mushrooms, tomato paste, stock and potatoes, and cook until the potatoes are done. Season.
• Spoon the filling into four large ramekins or ovenproof dishes. Roll out the pastry and cut into four squares and use as lids for the pies. Paint each with a little beaten egg. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown- about 30 mins- then leave to cool slightly and serve.