Step 1

Preheat the oven to 160°C/gas mark 3

Step 2

Add the carrots and onion to a cast iron casserole and colour over a medium heat

Step 3

Dust the meat with the flour and add it to the vegetables, stirring until nicely browned all over

Step 4

Immediately pour in the stout, mushroom ketchup and herbs. If the meat isn’t completely covered by the liquid, add some water or extra stout until it’s just covered

Step 5

Bring to the boil without putting on the lid

Step 6

Once boiling, put on the lid and place on a low shelf in the oven for 3–3.5 hours. Cooking time depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the meat used and how lean it is. Check on it regularly so you don’t end up with dry meat – it is done when it is just about to fall apart

Step 7

For the pastry lid, combine the flour, butter, suet and salt in a large mixing bowl and use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour. Keep on doing this until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs

Step 8

Pour in the water and start pressing the liquid into the breadcrumb-like mixture. Be gentle as you must be careful not to overwork the dough

Step 9

When you have created a rough dough, wrap it in cling film and let it rest in the fridge for an hour or more. You can prepare the pastry the day before if you’re feeling organised

Step 10

Preheat your oven to 180°C/gas mark 4

Step 11

Ladle the stew into your shallow pie dish and distribute the oysters neatly so everyone will find some in their plate

Step 12

Use the beaten egg to eggwash the edges of the pie dish

Step 13

Take your pastry out of the fridge and place on a floured work surface. Roll out to a 1cm thickness, ensuring it is larger than your pie dish

Step 14

Carefully pick up the pastry and drapeit over the pie dish. Trim the edges of the pastry so you get a nice neat lid, then crimp the edges by using your thumb or a fork so the pastry lid is closed tightly

Step 15

Decorate the pie lid if you like and egg-wash generously before baking on a low shelf of the oven

Step 16

The pie should be nice and golden after 40–45 minutes. Serve with peas and carrots because you've got to have peas and carrots with a pie