Serve our moreish mushroom bourguignon pithivier as a vegan main course. Ideal for a special occasion such as Christmas, it’s full of deep flavours
Prep:40 mins
Serves 6 – 8
250g chestnut mushrooms, roughly chopped150g portobello mushrooms, roughly chopped½ tbsp vegetable oil2 shallots, peeled, trimmed and quartered lengthways1 carrot, roughly chopped3 thyme sprigs, leaves picked1 garlic clove, crushed½ tbsp tomato purée1½ tbsp plain flour, plus extra for dusting125ml red wine (check it’s vegan)250ml vegan vegetable stock500g vegan puff pastry blocksoya milk, for glazing
STEP 1Cook the mushrooms in a large saucepan, covered, for 5 mins. Remove the lid so the liquid can evaporate, about 15 mins. Add the oil and fry the mushrooms for 5-6 mins until golden. Remove to a bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving any excess oil behind, and set aside.STEP 2Fry the shallots for 6-8 mins until beginning to brown, then add the carrot, thyme leaves and garlic, and fry for 1 min. Add the tomato purée and flour, mix well and cook for 1-2 mins. Pour in the wine, stir and simmer for 3-4 mins until the alcohol has evaporated.STEP 3Pour in the stock and cook for 15-20 mins more until the shallots and carrots are almost tender. Return the mushrooms to the pan and cook for 10-15 mins more until everything is cooked through, the liquid has almost evaporated and the sauce is thick. It’s important that you cook the liquid down until thick, or it will be difficult to shape later. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 1 hr until cold. You can make the filling up to three days ahead and chill.STEP 4Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut off a third of the pastry block and roll out on a lightly floured surface to a 5mm-thick square. Put on a sheet of baking parchment. Spoon the cooled veg mixture into the centre piling it up high. Roll out the larger pastry block as before, ensuring the square is enough to cover the base. Brush the exposed pastry on the base around the mushroom filling with soya milk, then lay the larger pastry square on top to enclose the filling. Press around the edges to seal, then trim the edges so you end up with an 18cm circle with the filling in the middle. Score lines or patterns into the top of the pastry, being careful not to cut all the way through. Brush all over with soya milk, then bake for 30-40 mins until the filling is hot and the pastry is puffed up and golden.
