Spicy Lamb & Beet Pot Pie
This is one of those great transitional meals that feels like a warm hug on a chilly spring evening. We are relishing these warmer, longer days here at the farm and are equally happy about the need to put on a sweater by late afternoon. There’s so much to get done out in the fields but with more daylight hours we’re able to keep up with chores and put in the long work days that the early spring demands. This meal is a lovely dinner to prepare during the spring hustle. It’s hearty, nourishing, and so damn delicious. I played around with some warming spices that pair really well with the lamb and beets. A pungent blend of cumin, paprika and cinnamon is what gives this dish it’s spicy kick. The beets and lamb lend an earthy flavor and the pie crust is a new favorite. The crust is made with butter, yogurt and flour. It makes the most decadent crust! The only thing you need to do is plan this meal one day in advance because the dough sits overnight at room temperature soaking in the butter and yogurt. This makes the crust more easily digestible and makes for the absolute best texture! The dough recipe is from the Nourishing Traditions cookbook and if you wan’t to learn all about the importance of soaking your grains it’s a great resource for that! This recipe makes enough for two pie crusts and I’ve been using the other crust for quiche. I’ll be sharing a lovely quiche recipe later this week with my second dough (and we’re currently eating a buffalo chicken pot pie with this same crust that I’ll be sharing in a few weeks. It’s worth the wait!) If I haven’t sold you on the dough yet I apologize in advance for all the quiche and pot pie recipes coming at you in the coming months.
This meal can be made with overwintered beets or fresh spring beets that should be popping up at your local farmers markets very soon! I hope you all enjoy this meal as much as we do. Happy spring cozy cooking everyone!
Spicy Beet & Lamb Pot Pie
Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Serves: 4-6
Yogurt Pie Crust- 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- 1 cup (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups whole spelt flour or wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- unbleached white flour for rolling
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 Tablespoon cooking fat (butter, ghee, lard, oil)
- 1 large red onion, finely chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1-2 medium sized beets cut into 1/4 inch chunks (about 1 1/2 cups worth of chopped beets)
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 3 cups low salt broth (beef, lamb, pork, chicken or even veggie)
- 1 cup chopped parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 Tablespoons milk or cream
Preparation
- The night before you plan on making your pot pie, prepare the dough. Cream together the yogurt and butter. Blend in the flour and salt. Cover with a dish towel and leave in a warm spot in your kitchen for 12-24 hours.
- Prepare the pie filling by browning the lamb in a large cast iron pan over medium-high heat until cooked through and no longer pink. Use a slotted spoon to remove the lamb to a plate and keep to the side. Add the cooking fat to the pan and once melted add the onion, spices and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and beets and continue to cook, stirring often for about 2 minutes longer. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well. Add the red wine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the wine reduces by about half. Slowly pour in the stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beets become tender and the mixture thickens up a bit, 8-10 minutes. Return the lamb to the pot along with the parsley and give it good stir. Remove from the heat.
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a small bowl make an egg wash by whisking together the egg with the milk or cream. Then on a generously floured work surface, work the dough into a ball (if not already) and divide in half. Cover one half with beeswax wrap or plastic wrap and store in your fridge for later (up to 5 days) roll the remainder dough out with a well floured rolling pin into approximately 1/8 inch thick round (the dough is a bit stickier than your average dough but you'll get the hang of working with it!) Place the dough over the pot and fold the overhand inward while pinching to crimp the edges. Cut vents in the dough and brush with the egg wash.
- Place pie on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges, about 50-55 minutes.
- Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
*Use this recipe as a guide and adjust measurements and ingredients as necessary. Cooking times will vary from kitchen to kitchen. The pie crust is a recipe from the Nourishing Traditions cookbook.
The filling of this pot pie is delicious and so unique! I made a Red Fife Wheat crust since I needed to make it same day, but will definitely make it again and plan ahead so I can make the Yogurt Pie Crust with it. Thank you!
What size pie pan did you use?
this works in a 10 or 12 inch cast iron pan!