This is based off Sophies four seasons pies from GBBO 2017 but makes one large pie instead of 4 smaller ones. This pie is not quick as a few of the ingredients need to be made separately before being combined. If you are looking for a quick and easy recipe you might prefer this : Game Pie , or Pork Pies with Chicken & Apricot





Ingredients:





For the Pastry:

• 500g plain flour

• quarter teaspoon of salt

• 250g unsalted butter

• 3 medium egg yolks

• 120ml cold water

• 1 medium egg for glazing





For the Filling:

• 1 medium butternut squash (approx 600-800g once peeled, de-seeded and cubed)

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary

• 2 teaspoons honey

• 10g salted butter

• 175g creamy blue cheese (e.g. St Agur, Castello Danish blue)

• 250-300g baby spinach leaves

• 200g Buckwheat

• 2 table spoons crème fraiche

• salt and pepper





Making the Pastry





1. Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl, cut the butter into cubes and add it to the bowl. Work the mixture with your hands until the big chunks of butter are gone and the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

2. Add the Egg yolks then trickle in the water whilst mixing. The dough should become soft but not sticky.

3. Flatten the dough into a fat circle, wrap in clingflim and put into the fridge for 15 minutes.

4. Remove the dough from the fridge, cut in half and return half to the fridge to make the top of the pie later.

5. Roll out the dough into a circular shape and place it into the pie dish. The dough should just come over the sides.

6. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (fan oven), whilst it is heating up cut a disc of grease proof paper and place it into the pie dish. Add some baking beans to keep the paper in place.

7. Once the oven has reached the correct temperature place the pie onto the middle shelf and leave to bake for 10 minutes.

8. Remove the dish from the oven. Remove the beans and paper. Brush the inside of the pastry with a beaten egg and return to the oven for a further 5 minutes.

9. Take the pie out of the oven and set to one side to cool. (Leave the oven turned on for the next part)





Making the Filling





1. Place the Buckwheat in a sieve and run under cold water until the water runs clear instead of white.

2. Put the Buckwheat into a pan of water and bring to the boil, let it simmer for 30 minutes (whilst you prepare the rest of the filling.)

3. Peel the Butternut squash and cut into small cubes.

4. Place the cubes onto a baking tray and add the oil, cumin, rosemary and honey evenly across the tray.

5. The oven should still be turned on at 200 degrees. Place the tray of butternut squash inside for 20-25 minutes. The cubes should be mostly golden brown.

6. Remove the tray and empty into a colander to allow the liquid to drain away. Once drained move into a bowl. Turn the oven down to 160 degrees (fan oven)

7. Melt the butter into a pan and add the spinach. Stir gently until the spinach has wilted.

8. Remove the spinach and put it into the colander to allow to drain. Once it has cooled squeeze out any excess water using your hands. The spinach will shrink a lot after doing so.

9. Crumble the blue cheese into the bowl with the butternut squash. Add the crème fraiche and then the spinach. Add the buckwheat and mix everything. Finally use some salt and pepper to taste. (If you have used a salty blue cheese you may only need to add pepper)

10. Place the mixture into the pie dish and spread it evenly.

11. Remove the remaining pastry from the fridge. Roll out into a very thin square and cut into ribbons

12. Use the Ribbons to create a pattern on top of the pie. A traditional ribbon weave will work or you can use your imagination.

13. Glaze the top of the pie using egg.

14. Bake the pie for about 25 minutes (until golden brown)









My boyfriend was in charge of making this pie following pastry week on the GBBO. This is his post, so I hope you enjoy it :)