masterclass

Serve up a game version of the classic dinner party puff pastry parcel with mushroom duxelles, prosciutto and mustard

Venison wellington

venison

tbsp olive oil,

1½ tbsp English mustard

butter

shallot,

garlic clove, crushed

chestnut mushroom, very finely chopped in a food processor

tbsp finely chopped thyme leaves

tbsp finely chopped parsley

brandy

prosciutto

flour,

pack all-butter puff pastry

egg yolks, beaten

mashed root veg

For detailed step-by-step images to help with creating your wellington, visit our guide page. Firstly, dry the venison with kitchen paper, then season well. Heat the oil in a frying pan and sear the meat all over for about 8 mins. Brush with mustard, leave to cool, then chill for 20 mins. Reserve any juices for the gravy.

Melt the butter and soften the shallot and garlic. Add the mushrooms, herbs and seasoning, and cook for 10 mins until you have a paste-like mixture. Add the brandy and cook until it’s evaporated. Leave to cool.

Overlap 2-3 sheets of cling film on a clean surface and lay the prosciutto in 2 rows, slightly overlapping each slice. Spread the cooled mushroom paste all over the prosciutto, creating a thin, even layer.

Place the fillet in the centre of the mushroom mixture. Using the edge of the cling film, carefully draw the layer of prosciutto and mushroom around the meat.

Roll into a sausage shape, twisting the ends of the cling film as you do, to form a tight log. Chill for 30 mins to firm up.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry to a rectangle a little larger than a magazine, and trim the edges to neaten.

Carefully unwrap the prosciutto parcel and lay in the middle of the pastry.

Fold over the bottom half of the pastry. Lightly brush the rest of the sheet with beaten egg.

Roll the whole thing around the meat to encase. Neatly fold under the shorter edges to create a parcel.

Transfer to a baking sheet and, using your hands, smooth the pastry around the meat, pressing it firmly to avoid any air being trapped. Brush the pastry all over with beaten egg yolk.

Chill for at least 30 mins or up to 24 hrs. Then, using the back of a knife, mark the pastry, being careful not to cut all the way through. Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.

Lightly oil a non-stick baking tray and heat until hot. Put the wellington on the tray and bake for 30 mins (35 mins for well done). Remove from oven, brush with extra egg and rest for 20 mins.

To make venison gravy, melt a large knob of butter in a medium pan, add 1 finely chopped shallot, 1 crushed garlic clove and 1 thyme sprig, and cook until soft. Add 1 tbsp flour, brown for about 1 min, then pour in 250ml Port and reduce by two-thirds. Add 400ml beef stock and any reserved juices from the venison, then reduce again by two-thirds until syrupy. Season, add 1 tbsp redcurrant jelly, if you like, and strain before serving.

There are more “rules” around cooking steak than any other food, and most of them are complete nonsense.

Throw out the rule book: Adam Liaw’s expert guide to cooking the perfect steak

scotch steak,

salt and black pepper,

tsp vegetable oil,

curly parsley,

Warm a serving plate. Heat a heavy frying pan (preferably carbon steel or stainless steel) over medium-high heat until very hot. Season the steak generously with salt and pepper, then add the oil to the pan. Cook the steak to your liking (see tips below), and about 2 minutes before the steak is likely to be done, add the butter and spoon it over the steak repeatedly until the steak is cooked. Remove the steak from the pan and set aside on the warm serving plate to rest. 

To make the pan jus, return the pan to the heat and add a third of the butter for the pan jus. Add the eschalot, garlic, thyme and any parsley stems, and fry for about a minute until fragrant. Add the red wine, stock and gelatine (if using) and scrape up any brown bits from the base of the pan. Simmer until the liquid has reduced by about two-thirds. Pour in any resting juices from the steak. Whisk in the remaining cold butter, add a dash of vinegar, then strain the sauce into a warm jug or bowl.

Wipe out the pan and return it to the heat. Add a touch more oil then flash the steak for 30 seconds on each side to refresh it. Slice the steak and pour the reserved pan jus onto the serving plate. Place the steak on top and serve scattered with a little parsley.

Lift this comfort-food favourite several notches by employing simple chef-approved techniques for better-tasting mince and creamy mash.

Adam Liaw’s shepherd’s pie masterclass (plus a genius tip for browning the meat)

vegetable oil

1kg lamb mince

onion,

carrots, finely diced

celery stalk, finely diced

garlic cloves, roughly chopped

salt

tomato paste

thyme, leaves

flour

red wine

beef stock

tbsp worcestershire sauce

tbsp dark soy sauce

peas

Heat a large casserole dish over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Roughly form the mince into a large puck and fry it as you would a giant hamburger (see tips). When the “hamburger” is well browned on one side, flip it over and add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic and salt to the pan and fry for about 10 minutes, until fragrant and softened. Use a wooden spoon to break up the browned mince patty into the vegetable mixture. 

Add the tomato paste and chopped herbs, stir well, then add the flour and stir for about 3 minutes to combine with the mince and vegetables. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 2 minutes, then add the stock, worcestershire sauce and dark soy and simmer, covered for 1 hour. 

Uncover and continue to simmer for about 30 minutes, until the mixture is thick. Remove from the heat and stir the peas into the warm mixture. Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish, allow to stand and cool while you make the mash.

Heat the oven to 200C fan-forced (220C conventional).

To make the mashed potatoes, peel the potatoes and cut them into large chunks. Place in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are very tender. Test them by inserting a sharp knife into a piece of potato. It should enter and exit easily. Drain the potatoes well and return them to the warm pot over very low heat for about 3 minutes to steam off some of the residual moisture. 

Mash well, then add the milk and butter and mix vigorously with a wooden spoon to produce a smooth mash. Season well with salt and spread the mash over the filling in the baking dish. Rake a fork across the top to create texture. Bake for 25 minutes until the mash is golden brown.

Make extra sauce, freeze it, and you can have this family favourite on the table in no time flat.

Fakeaway favourite: Adam Liaw’s home-made butter chicken

chicken thigh fillets

juice of ½ lemon

tsp turmeric

¼ cup thick yoghurt

paprika

tsp coriander

½ tsp ground cumin

tsp garam masala

To prepare the chicken, trim the thigh fillets of some of the visible fat, and combine with the remaining marinade ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, heat a barbecue or grill pan over a high heat and grill the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side until charred. The chicken doesn’t need to be completely cooked through.

To make the butter chicken sauce, combine the onion, garlic and ginger in a small food processor and process to a smooth puree. Alternatively, you can grate or finely chop these aromatics. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the cinnamon, cloves and cardamom pods and toast for a minute until fragrant. Add the onion, garlic and ginger puree and fry for about 6-8 minutes, or until fragrant and dry, but not yet browned. Add the ground coriander, cumin and chilli (or paprika, if using) and mix well. Add the tomato passata and mix well. Cover and simmer for about 8 minutes. Season with the salt and sugar to taste, then stir through the thickened cream. Simmer for a further 4 minutes. 

Cut the chicken into 3cm pieces and stir through the sauce mixture. Simmer for 3 minutes, then stir through the garam masala and fenugreek leaves. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Transfer to a serving bowl and scatter with coriander to serve. Serve with Indian breads or rice, and a little hot lime pickle. 

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Throw out the rule book: Adam Liaw’...

Adam Liaw’s shepherd’s pie mastercl...

Fakeaway favourite: Adam Liaw’s hom...

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