Guest Recipe: Marlesford Farm Cafe's Individual Chicken & Leek Pie

Marlesford Farm Cafe, one of our favourite places to visit in Suffolk for quality food and local produce, have shared their much loved Sutton Hoo Chicken & Leek Pie recipe with us for our clients to enjoy at home.

They make all their pies by hand in small batches using fresh, local ingredients. The pies are a staple on their lunch menu year-round - we’d highly recommend a visit to their cafe if you’ve not already been! As well as being able to purchase their pies in their shop, here is the recipe to give them a go at home.

This recipe makes 4 x 4” round deep pies - great for filling your freezer to have on hand for mid-week meals. You could also choose to make one large one for a family meal or group entertaining.

Equipment

4 x 4” round deep pie foils

Ingredients

For the pastry

500g plain flour

225g butter

1 egg yolk

150ml tepid water

For the filling

2 tbs vegetable oil

1 small white onion finely chopped

3 leeks finely sliced

6 x Sutton Hoo skinless & boneless chicken thighs cut into 3cm pieces

2 tbs Dijon mustard

200ml white wine

200ml chicken stock

150ml double cream

A few sprigs fresh tarragon

Method

Make the pastry by rubbing the butter into the flour and adding the beaten egg yolk, water and a little seasoning to make a firm dough.  Knead the dough gently on a floured surface and set it aside.

Heat the oil, add the onions & leeks and cook until softened.  Add the diced chicken and cook for a further 4-5 mins. Add the wine and stock and simmer until reduced by half.

Add the Dijon mustard, cream, and chopped tarragon and simmer for 5 – 6 minutes until the mixture is thickened.  Remove from the heat, season to taste, cool and then chill.

Heat your oven to 165 degrees C, roll out your pasty into 4 circles big enough to base line your foils and four circles big enough to top your pies.  Base line the foils with your pastry circles and fill with your chilled chicken mixture. Top with your smaller pastry circles and brush with a little milk or beaten egg. 

Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Ensure  the filling is piping hot before serving.

Enjoy! And be sure to check out Marlesford Farm Cafe & Shop on Facebook at @farmcafemarlesford and Instagram at @farmcafe_shop.