Total Time Investment: 35 minutes
Rummaging through the freezer recently, I came across a container of leftover Beef and Mushroom Stew. I could have just reheated the stew, served it with a side of mash potato and some steamed greens, and dinner would be done. A better plan was to turn the leftover stew into pot pies.
There is something about a pastry lid that says "I've made an effort", even if that effort involves scraping the leftover beef stew into a pie dish and slapping a slab of pre-rolled puff pastry on top. Appearance is everything when it comes to food, and there is no denying that a lid of well-risen puff pastry looks impressive.
Almost any leftover stew, or even leftover curry, can be turned into pie just by adding a pastry lid. It is one way of serving your family the same meal twice in the one week without them really noticing. Just add different sides and the family will think you have been slaving away in the kitchen all afternoon. Pies are also easily assembled in advance, then either refrigerated or frozen until required. A word of caution though, don't refreeze the pie if using a defrosted stew. Only freeze pies made with fresh leftovers.
I will make either little individual pies or a single large pie according to both my mood and the time available to me. Individuals pies mean more pastry for everyone, but they are ever so slightly more work as you need to cut out pastry for each ramekin. When I am short on time, I make one generous family sized pie by piling the stew into a large pie dish and covering the top with a single sheet of pastry.
Puff pastry is a staple in my freezer. It is the easiest way of turning out a quick tart for dinner or some simple pastries for dessert, or even whipping up some quick appetisers for a drinks party. Keep some on hand, and plan ahead next time you make a stew so that you have leftovers. Then you will have everything you need to make a spectacular looking meal with very little effort.
Meal Prep Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Assemble the pies in advance and refrigerate. When you are ready to cook the pie, just pre-heat the oven and slide the pie in once it reaches the correct temperature.
- Pies can be frozen if using "fresh" stew. Do not refreeze pies made from frozen leftover stew. To cook a pie from frozen, add an extra 15 - 20 minutes to the cooking time.
- Leftover stew will keep in the fridge for 2 - 3 days, so you can make stew earlier in the week and serve pies from the leftovers a few days later. The flavour of the stew will improve with time, and adding different sides will make it seem like a completely different meal.
- Serve the pie with mashed potato, and steamed greens or a green salad. I also like to serve pies with boiled potatoes that I have tossed in a little butter, and seasoned with salt and pepper.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Use any leftover stew in place of the beef and mushroom stew. Leftover curry can also be turned into pies if desired.
- Shortcrust or homemade rough butter puff pastry can be used in place of the puff pastry.
- Use a gluten free pastry to make the pie gluten free.
