Meat Pies and Puddings

Ingredients

• smooth cold hands
• clean pastry slab
• clarified beef dripping or lard (instead of butter)

Directions

The book gives no oven temperature. The 400°F (200°C) in the steps was added when the recipe was transcribed, as a starting point.

1. Wash your hands well and plunge them in cold water for a minute or two in hot weather, then dry them thoroughly.

2. Use a marble pastry slab if possible; if using wood, keep it very clean.

3. Make the crust using clarified beef dripping or lard for a homely pie.

4. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

5. Test the oven heat by holding your hand inside; if you can keep it there for a few seconds, it is too cold.

6. Make a small hole at the top of the pie to allow gases to escape and for adding gravy if needed.