Pork pies
Pork pies are classic British savoury pastries filled with seasoned pork mince in a crisp hot water crust made with flour, lard and water. The Thermomix TM7 makes the pastry and filling preparation straightforward, delivering golden pies with a juicy, well-seasoned centre. Ideal for picnics, buffets or a hearty main course.
About this recipe
Pork pies with the Thermomix TM7 are a wonderful project for anyone searching for classic savoury baking recipes with their all-in-one kitchen machine. These traditional British pies combine seasoned pork mince with a distinctive hot water crust pastry, made by melting lard in water before it is worked into plain flour and salt. That technique gives the pastry its signature crisp, golden shell that holds its shape beautifully around the juicy meat filling. The TM7 takes the guesswork out of this process: the integrated scale weighs flour, lard and water directly into the mixing bowl, while precise heating melts the lard at exactly the right moment so the dough comes together smoothly. Finished with a glossy egg wash, these pork pies are perfect for a picnic, a party buffet or a satisfying weekend lunch, and they taste even better made a day ahead.
Preparation tips
- Chill the hot water crust pastry thoroughly before shaping it into the pie tins, as the lard-based dough becomes much easier to handle and holds its ridged sides better when cold.
- Season the pork mince generously with salt before filling the pies, since the meat firms up during baking and a well-seasoned filling prevents the pies from tasting bland once cooled.
- Brush the pastry with beaten egg just before baking for a deep golden shine, and let the pies cool completely in the tins so the pork filling sets into neat, sliceable wedges.
Recipe variations
- For a lighter version, replace half of the pork mince with finely chopped chicken and add sage and thyme for a gentler flavour profile that also appeals to children at parties.
- For a festive twist, stir dried cranberries and a pinch of nutmeg through the pork filling, or make mini cocktail-sized pork pies using a muffin tin for an elegant Christmas buffet.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Built-in precision - The integrated scale of the TM7 weighs plain flour and lard to the gram for consistent hot water crust pastry. [Weighing]. [Precision Control]
- Even blending - The Thermomix mixes the seasoned pork mince with salt and water into a uniform, juicy pie filling. [Mixing]. [Multi-Function]
- Hands-free pastry - The TM7 kneads the lard dough while you grease the tins, saving several minutes of manual work. [Kneading]. [Hands-Free]
- Gentle heating - The Thermomix heats water and lard precisely so the pastry comes together without splashing or scorching. [Heating]. [Precision Control]
- Guided baking - Cookidoo on the TM7 guides you through the egg wash step for an evenly golden, glossy pork pie finish. [Browning]. [Guided Cooking]
Ingredients
- oil
- water
- lard
- plain flour
- salt
- water
- eggs
- brown onion
- rindless bacon rashers
- lard