Gymnkhana Chicken Pie

  • Prep time
  • Serves 4-6
chicken pie

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves
  • 10 Tellicherry or ordinary black pepper corns
  • 2.5cm/1” cassia bark
  • 12 curry leaves
  • 1tsp grated ginger
  • 1 medium onion, cut into 2.5cm/1” dices
  • 500g (1lb2oz) chicken thighs, boneless and diced
  • 50g (2oz) plain flour
  • 8-12 baby carrots, peeled, blanched and cut into 2.5cm/1” pieces
  • 16-20 silver skin onions
  • 15 green beans cut into 2.5cm/1” batons, blanched
  • 2 tbsp seasoned flour
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp coriander powder
  • 400ml (14floz) coconut milk
  • 110g (4oz) ready made puff pastry sheet
  • CRUST
  • 1 egg, for egg wash
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp black sesame seeds
  1. Pre heat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6.
  2. Heat oil, sauté cloves, peppers, cassia bark and curry leaves for a minute.
  3. Then add ginger and onions, sauté until translucent.
  4. Toss the chicken thighs with the plain flour salt and pepper.
  5. Add chicken thighs, sauté to seal and then add carrots, sliver skin onions and beans.
  6. Add powdered spices, sauté for 1 minute and add seasoned flour and cook for further 2-3 minutes.
  7. Add coconut milk, bring to simmer for further 5-7 minutes, remove and cool.
  8. Spoon the curry into a pie dish.
  9. Filling should come almost to the top.
  10. Place something the middle to hold pastry, a pie funnel or a cup or an egg cup will do.
  11. Let the mixture cool.
  12. Roll out the pastry to fit the top of the dish - it should be slightly larger than the pie dish.
  13. Crush the coriander, cumin, fennel and black sesame seeds together.
  14. Wet the rim of the pastry with water or milk and place it on the dish.
  15. Press it firmly on the rim of the dish and pinch the edges to seal well.
  16. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle the spice crust on top.
  17. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and crisp at the edges.
  18. Serve immediately, hot with a leafy salad.