Beef and onion pie (plus a few favourite London foodie spots!)

This recipe is inspired by my trip to the U.K. last month and it’s a goodie for winter. I’ve used beef chuck in this pie filling which is fabulously tender, hearty and tasty. It’s just one of the meals I enjoyed during my stay, and I’ve listed a few other favourite foodie finds below, scroll down for the deets!

It’s been about 12 years since I was last in London and the trip was unforgettable. I stayed with my sister who is based there and had a great time reacquainting myself with the city that was my home for a few years after I got married. The weather even played along, we walked our butts off and packed a lot into my time there. Here are some of the food highlights from my holiday:

Mildreds in Camden (they have a few branches) is a light, bright and friendly plant-based restaurant that was highly recommended by my sister, and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed the bbq pulled pok bun with slaw, pickles and sweet potato fries which was beyond delicious! My sister ordered the Korean fried chick’n which was a bit more spicy but also enjoyed. I had the pineapple, apple, ginger and tumeric juice – I was a bit worried that it might be too heavy on the ginger as these juices often are, but our lovely waitress put in a special order for a “hint of ginger” and it was absolutely perfect. There are some lovely desserts to choose from too. Do it!
On my second day we popped in The Star of the East pub to meet a friend for lunch. Unassuming from the outside, this hidden gem has various comfy seating areas and function rooms. We ordered sourdough pizzas for lunch and were not disappointed, yum!
Ottolenghi – do I even need to elaborate? The most beautiful sweet treats, salads and foodie goodies. We were on our way to meet someone so didn’t stop to eat, but we did pop in to admire the merchandise! I totally had a fan girl moment when I spotted those iconic giant meringues in the shop window.

Rajboy restaurant in Limehouse was our go-to curry takeaway when I lived in London, and I’m happy to report that they’re still there and that the food is just as good as I remember. We ordered a vegetarian takeaway feast with creamy veg korma, onion bharjis, samosas, ponir tikka, the softest garlic nan and popadoms. Super yummy and good value for money.
Dishoom in Shoreditch (they have various locations) is a treat for the senses. This popular and bustling spot pays homage to the Irani cafés of Bombay. We had a short wait for a table (a queue is a good sign I say!) and enjoyed a fabulous lunch. I had the murgh malai (tender grilled chicken, drool) and my sister had the mattar paneer. Naan bread on the side of course, and we shared a portion of dhal. Would absolutely go back!
I first got acquainted with Shake Shack in New York and noticed that quite a few locations have now popped up in London too. We popped in on our way home one late afternoon for a milkshake treat – I had the chocolatiest chocolate shake while my sister opted for a churro shake. Didn’t try the burgers this time around but I remember them being fab in the states.
For more casual eating and a massive (and I mean massive) selection of meals London’s markets are a good option. We managed to get to Borough Market (fresh produce of my dreams), Camden, Covent Garden, Greenwich and Spitalfields. Food for days, but be prepared for crowds.

We spent two days exploring the beautiful Cotswolds and of course we had to get a cream tea or two in. While on our adventures there we enjoyed delicious scones and baked treats at Bakery On the Water (Bourton-on-the-Water), incredible cheeses from the Cotswold Cheese co (Stow-on-the-Wold) and high tea in the garden at The Close Hotel in Tetbury. The Rattlebone Inn is a comfy, country pub serving fabulous pub food. The crispy cheese and chorizo balls with herb aioli deserve a special mention. We also had a hearty lunch at The Swan before catching our train back to London. I had the red wine lasagne which came with garlic bread and it filled me up for the rest of the day – no dinner needed!

If you have any favourite London restaurants or foodie tips please feel free to share below. Enjoy the recipe!

BEEF & ONION PIE

Servings: 6
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40g cake flour
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1kg beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 2-3cm cubes
25ml (5 tsp) olive oil
1 brown onion, halved and thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
45ml (3 tbsp) red wine
500ml (2 cups) beef stock
15ml (1 tbsp) Worcestershire sauce
50g tomato paste
400g puff pastry
1 medium egg, whisked

1.) Place the flour in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Mix well. Add the beef and toss to combine.

2.) Heat two teaspoons of olive oil in a pot. Brown the meat in two batches adding another two teaspoons of olive oil to the pot between batches. Transfer the beef to a plate.

3.) Lower the heat and add a teaspoon of olive oil the same pot. Add the onion and cook gently until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Transfer the onion and garlic to a plate.

4.) Pour the red wine into the pot. Allow to simmer for a minute or two, stirring to loosen the caramelised bits stuck on the base of the pot (deglazing). Once reduced add the beef, onion and garlic back into the pot.

5.) Add the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste and stir well. Cover the pot and allow to simmer gently for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the beef is tender. Check the seasoning.

6.) Towards the end of the simmering time heat the oven to 200°C (180°C for fan assisted). Pour the beef filling into a large pie dish/oven dish and allow to cool for a few minutes.

7.) Unroll the puff pastry and cut out a lid a few centimetres larger than the pie dish you’re using. Carefully pop the lid on top of the filling and either tuck the edges in or pleat them. If you have any pastry scraps you can use these to decorate the pie.

8.) Brush the pastry with a generous layer of egg and bake for 30 minutes until the pastry is golden and cooked through.