Originating in medieval England, pork pies were initially enjoyed by the upper class before becoming a beloved staple across the country. Today, they remain a symbol of British culinary tradition, cherished for their savory flavor and hearty texture.

Ingredients:

- 500g pork shoulder, minced

- 200g pork belly, minced

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 tsp black pepper

- 1 tsp dried sage

- 1 tsp dried thyme

- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

- 1/2 tsp ground mace

- 300g pork lard

- 500g plain flour

- 200ml water

- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix together minced pork shoulder and pork belly.

2. Add salt, black pepper, dried sage, dried thyme, ground nutmeg, and ground mace to the meat mixture. Mix until well combined.

3. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

4. In a saucepan, melt pork lard over low heat.

5. In a separate bowl, sift plain flour. Make a well in the center and pour in melted lard.

6. Gradually add water to the flour mixture, stirring until a dough forms.

7. Roll out two-thirds of the dough on a floured surface to line a greased pie tin.

8. Fill the pastry-lined tin with the seasoned pork mixture.

9. Roll out the remaining pastry to create a lid for the pie. Seal the edges and trim off any excess pastry.

10. Brush the pastry lid with beaten egg for a golden finish.

11. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is cooked through.

12. Allow the pork pie to cool before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Value:

1. 500g Pork Shoulder, Minced:

  - Calories: Approximately 1370 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: Approximately 95g

  - Fat: Approximately 110g

  - Sodium: Varies based on seasoning, typically around 1000mg

  - Cholesterol: Approximately 350mg

  - Vitamins: Rich in B vitamins, particularly B12 and niacin

  - Minerals: Contains iron, zinc, and selenium

  - Nutritional Benefits: High in protein and essential nutrients, contributes to muscle growth and repair, supports immune function.

2. 200g Pork Belly, Minced:

  - Calories: Approximately 1020 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: Approximately 18g

  - Fat: Approximately 100g

  - Sodium: Varies based on seasoning, typically around 80mg

  - Cholesterol: Approximately 110mg

  - Vitamins: Contains B vitamins, particularly B12 and B6

  - Minerals: Contains iron and phosphorus

  - Nutritional Benefits: High in fat content, provides flavor and moisture to the pork pie filling.

3. 1 tsp Salt:

  - Calories: 0 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 0g

  - Sodium: Approximately 2300mg

  - Cholesterol: 0mg

  - Vitamins: 0

  - Minerals: Contains sodium

  - Nutritional Benefits: Adds flavor and helps to season the meat mixture.

4. 1 tsp Black Pepper:

  - Calories: 6 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 1.4g

  - Protein: 0.2g

  - Fat: 0.1g

  - Sodium: 0mg

  - Cholesterol: 0mg

  - Vitamins: Contains vitamin K

  - Minerals: Contains manganese

  - Nutritional Benefits: Adds heat and depth of flavor to the meat mixture.

5. 1 tsp Dried Sage:

  - Calories: 6 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 1.3g

  - Protein: 0.3g

  - Fat: 0.1g

  - Sodium: 0mg

  - Cholesterol: 0mg

  - Vitamins: Rich in vitamin K

  - Minerals: Contains calcium and iron

  - Nutritional Benefits: Adds a distinct herbal flavor to the pork filling, also has antioxidant properties.

6. 1 tsp Dried Thyme:

  - Calories: 3 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 0.7g

  - Protein: 0.1g

  - Fat: 0.1g

  - Sodium: 1mg

  - Cholesterol: 0mg

  - Vitamins: Contains vitamin C and vitamin A

  - Minerals: Contains iron, manganese, and calcium

  - Nutritional Benefits: Adds a earthy, slightly minty flavor to the pork filling, also offers antimicrobial properties.

7. 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg:

  - Calories: 6 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 0.7g

  - Protein: 0.1g

  - Fat: 0.4g

  - Sodium: 1mg

  - Cholesterol: 0mg

  - Vitamins: Contains vitamin E and vitamin A

  - Minerals: Contains calcium, iron, and magnesium

  - Nutritional Benefits: Provides warm, sweet flavor notes to the pork filling, also offers some antioxidant properties.

8. 1/2 tsp Ground Mace:

  - Calories: 5 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 1.1g

  - Protein: 0.1g

  - Fat: 0.2g

  - Sodium: 1mg

  - Cholesterol: 0mg

  - Vitamins: Contains vitamin A

  - Minerals: Contains calcium, iron, and magnesium

  - Nutritional Benefits: Adds a warm, spicy flavor reminiscent of nutmeg, also provides some antioxidant properties.

9. 300g Pork Lard:

  - Calories: Approximately 2700 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: Approximately 300g

  - Sodium: Varies based on processing, typically low

  - Cholesterol: Varies based on processing, typically high

  - Vitamins: Contains vitamin D

  - Minerals: Contains small amounts of iron and calcium

  - Nutritional Benefits: Adds richness and flakiness to the pastry crust, high in saturated fats.

10. 500g Plain Flour:

  - Calories: Approximately 1800 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: Approximately 375g

  - Protein: Approximately 50g

  - Fat: Approximately 2g

  - Sodium: Varies based on processing, typically low

  - Cholesterol: 0mg

  - Vitamins: Contains small amounts of B vitamins

  - Minerals: Contains small amounts of iron and calcium

  - Nutritional Benefits: Provides structure and texture to the pastry crust, a good source of carbohydrates.

11. 200ml Water:

  - Calories: 0 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 0g

  - Sodium: 0mg

  - Cholesterol: 0mg

  - Vitamins: 0

  - Minerals: 0

  - Nutritional Benefits: Essential for hydrating the dough and forming the pastry crust.

12. 1 Egg, Beaten (for egg wash):

  - Calories: Approximately 70 kcal

  - Carbohydrates: Less than 1g

  - Protein: Approximately 6g

  - Fat: Approximately 5g

  - Sodium: Varies, typically less than 100mg

  - Cholesterol: Approximately 185mg

  - Vitamins: Rich in vitamins A, D, and B12

  - Minerals: Contains small amounts of calcium and iron

  - Nutritional Benefits: Adds shine and color to the pastry crust when used as an egg wash, also contributes protein and essential vitamins.

Overall, while some ingredients like pork shoulder and pork belly provide protein and essential nutrients, others like pork lard and plain flour contribute to the overall calorie and fat content of the dish. It's important to enjoy pork pie in moderation as part of a balanced diet.