Step 1

Sprinkle beef with 1/2 tsp salt and pepper.

Step 2

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large heavy based pot over high heat. Add 1/3 of the beef and brown aggressively all over, then remove. Repeat with remaining beef, adding more oil if needed.

Step 3

Turn stove down to medium high. Add garlic and onion, cook 3 minutes.

Step 4

Add flour, stir through.

Step 5

Slowly add beef stock while stirring constantly. Once flour is dissolved, add wine, tomato paste, Worcestershire, pepper and bay leaves.

Step 6

Return beef into pot, cover with lid, adjust heat so it's simmering gently.

Step 7

Simmer 1 hr 45 minutes. Remove lid, increase heat slightly and simmer 30 - 45 minutes, stirring regularly, or until beef is fork tender and liquid reduces down to a thickish gravy, just about covering beef (see video). Do not reduce liquid too much - thickens more as it cools & in pie.

Step 8

Remove from stove, cover and cool filling (I usually leave overnight).

Step 9

Preheat oven to 180C/350F.

Step 10

Cut out 6 rounds from the shortcrust pastry, then drape pastry into pie tins - don't stretch and pull pastry, causes shrinkage. (Notes 1 & 6)

Step 11

Place pies on tray. Top each pie with large sheets of parchment / baking paper and fill with pie weights (Note 7).

Step 12

Bake 20 minutes, remove, then use paper overhang to carefully remove pie weights.

Step 13

Return crusts into oven for 5 minutes or until base is light golden and dry (can skip, Note 8). Remove from oven.

Step 14

Fill pies with cooled filling, push down to fill. Should be slightly mounded.

Step 15

Cut rounds from partially thawed puff pastry - cut them slightly larger than the edge of the cooked pastry bases.

Step 16

Brush edge of pie crusts with egg, then place lid on filling, pressing edges to seal puff pastry to the shortcrust pastry.

Step 17

Brush lids with egg, then cut a 1cm / 0.5" incision in the middle using a small knife.

Step 18

Bake 30 minutes or until deep golden and puffed.

Step 19

Devour hot and fresh, topped with tomato sauce or ketchup if desired!