Aussie Steak & Portobello Mushroom Pie - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons plain flour
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
3 lbs best quality stewing beef, cut into 3/4 inch chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (15 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
2 white onions, sliced in rings
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
2 cups portabella mushrooms or 2 cups field mushrooms, cut into chunks
1 cup Guinness stout
1 1/2 cups beef stock
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leave
butter, to grease ovenproof pie dishes
4 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
tomato ketchup, to serve

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300F (150C).
In a large bowl, combine flour, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
Toss the cubed meat in the flour mixture.
Heat the oil in a large skillet, and brown the beef in batches over high heat, adding a touch more oil if necessary.
Place beef in an ovenproof casserole dish, together with the can of chopped tomatoes, garlic, onion, celery, mushrooms, stout, stock, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Cover casserole dish tightly, and cook in the oven at 300F (150C) for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until tender, stirring every 30 minutes.
Cool completely and proceed with the recipe, or refrigerate for up to three days in advance.
To make the pies, preheat oven to 400F (200C).
Butter the rims of 8 individual pie dishes or ramekins.
From each sheet of puff pastry, cut two thin strips of pastry along the vertical edge, 1/3\" wide and 4\" long, plus 2 circles to fit the tops of the pie dishes (8 strips and 8 circles in total).
Spoon the meat filling into the dishes, then press a strip of pastry around the rim of each.
Brush the rims with some beaten egg, then place the pastry lids on top and press all around each edge to seal.
Brush each pastry top with the remaining egg yolk.
With a sharp knife make 3 piercings in the top of each pie.
Bake in the oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through, and serve the Australian way, with tomato ketchup.