Three Cheese, Onion and Potato Pie

Three Cheese, Onion & Potato Pie

This stunning vegetarian pie is perfect for a mid-week meal and tastes absolutely scrumptious, pure comfort food at its best!

Serves 4-6

Prep time:  20-30 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

30g/1oz butter

280g/10oz onions, peeled, thinly sliced

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp caster sugar

930g/2lb 1oz potatoes, peeled, thinly sliced

140g/5oz crème fraîche

4 tbsp double cream

100g/3½oz mature cheddar, grated

100g/3½oz Stilton, crumbled

100g/3½oz Gruyère, grated

freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp grated nutmeg

500g/20 oz pre-prepared puff pastry

1 free-range egg, beaten, to glaze

Method

1.   In a large frying pan heat the butter and add the onions, salt and sugar, fry for 5-6 minutes until the onions begin to caramelize.  Remove from the pan and set aside.

2.  Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in a large pan of salted boiling water for 8 minutes, drain and then set aside.

3.  Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas Mark 7.

4.  Mix the crème fraîche, cream and cheddar in a small bowl. Mix together the Stilton and Gruyère in a separate bowl.

5.  Layer one quarter of the potatoes, a third of the onions and a third of the Stilton/Gruyère mixture in the bottom of a large pie dish. Sprinkle with a little freshly ground black pepper and grated nutmeg.

6.  Repeat, working from the outside of the pie dish into the middle to achieve a domed effect, seasoning as you go, then pour over half the cream/cheddar mixture. Repeat this step then cover the filling with the remaining potato, ensuring none of the cream mixture is visible.

7.  Roll out the pastry so it is larger than the pie dish.  Cut strips from the side of the pastry.  Brush the rim of the pie dish with egg wash and place the strips around the rim of the pie dish and cover with egg wash.  Cover the pie with the pastry, using a folk press the edges of the pie.  Use any off-cuts of pastry to decorate the pie then brush the top with the remaining egg wash. Cut a small cross in the top of the pie to let the steam escape.

8.  Place the pie in the oven and cook for 30 minutes then reduce the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 and bake the pie for another 30 minutes or until golden-brown, enjoy!