Celebrate British Pie Week in style with these mini pork, sage, apple and cider pies

There’s something very British about a classic pork pie, reminiscent of both summer picnics and post-Christmas gatherings alike. Making your own is a lot simpler than you might imagine, and using a good-quality minced pork, seasoned well, will add a new dimension to this old favourite.

These are great all-year round. You can serve them hot, indoors, with mashed potato and vegetables, or pack them into your picnic basket or lunch box as a great alternative to sandwiches.

Makes 6-8 individual pies

Cooking time – about 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 450g (1lb) lean minced pork
• 15ml (1tbsp) oil
• 1 onion, roughly chopped
• 1 eating apple, cored and sliced
• Seasoning
• 30ml (2tbsp) fresh sage, chopped
• 300ml (½pt) cider or apple juice
• 15-30ml (1-2tbsp) gravy granules
• 500g packet pre-made shortcrust pastry
• Plain flour for rolling

Method

1. Preheat the oven to Gas 4-5, 180ºC, 350ºF.
2. In a large pan, heat the oil and gently fry the mince and onion for about 3-4 minutes until browned.
3. Add the apple, seasoning, sage and cider, and bring to the boil. Add the gravy granules to thicken sauce. Cook for about 8-10 minutes.
4. Cut the pastry into 6-8 equal parts and roll out into rough circles. Place the pastry on a small piece of non-stick baking paper. Take a small ramekin/pie dish/deep muffin tin and, picking the pastry up on the paper, line the dish/tin (paper to dish). Push the pastry into the edges and corners, and roughly line.
5. Take large spoonfuls of the mince mixture and almost fill the dishes/tins.
6. Fold the pastry over to form a lid and roughly pinch the edges to seal.
7. Place onto a baking tray. Cook in a preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly and then pull out of the pie dishes using the edges of the lining paper – simple!
8. Serve hot or warm as a snack or main dish.