READY, steady, bake – as temperatures dip there is nothing better than a warming pie.
I am lifting the lid on the best deals for those who cannot resist a flaky crust, and on how to master homemade pastry . . .
Five tips and deals to make a warming pie this winter without breaking the bank
EARN A CRUST: Tesco Clubcard holders have tea time sorted with Pukka Pies for £1.25, down from £1.90.
They can also tuck into a Tesco Finest Pie, 250g, for £2.85, down from £3.35, and its 500g version is now £4.30.
D-I-PIE: Pastry is cheap to make. For shortcrust, rub 140g of butter into 280g plain flour until it looks like breadcrumbs.
Add 8tbsp of cold water and mix to form dough. Then pop it in the fridge to cool for at least half an hour.
Or Asda has a 450g ready-made mix for 85p.
ROCK AND ROLLED: Sometimes you’re in a hurry and only ready-rolled pastry will do.
It’s the most expensive option compared with homemade dough, pastry mixes and ready-made blocks, but it’s also the quickest.
Try supermarket own- brand options for deals. You can get JusRol pastry sheets for £1.25, down from £1.75, at Sainsbury’s.
FILLING GOOD: For great-value fillings, make a vegetarian pie such as cheese- and-onion or cheesy leek-and-mushroom.
For something meaty, minced beef or bacon make low-cost fillings.
Sweet pies are also a great way to use up on-the-turn fruit, from apples to berries.
LIFTING THE LID: At Morrisons, you can tuck into two £4.29 Pieminister pies for £7, saving £1.58.
Tasty options include British beef steak and craft-ale pie, as well as vegan mushroom-and-onion.
LOVELY LEFTOVERS: Use scraps of leftover pastry to make scrummy cheesy nibbles.
Just roll together and cut into strips. Sprinkle with grated cheese and a little salt, and bake.
Alternatively, with leftover shortcrust, roll out, cut into circles and fill with jam to make tasty tarts.
PIE-CANDY: For a perfect pie, don’t forget the presentation.
I love the 24cm blue enamel pie dish from Habitat, down from £6.50 to £4.33.
Or Sainsbury’s Home clear 25cm pie dish, £4.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
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