Stranger Foods

Spiced lamb pie

Serves 4 | Prep 30 mins | Cook 4 hr 20 mins

This stunning filo pastry pie is a twist on a lamb tagine. A hearty main meal that wouldn't look out of place on any dinner-party table

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

x0.5

°C

°F

Show amounts inline

Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish. Toss the lamb in the flour with some seasoning, then brown it in the dish. Do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the dish (which will cause the meat to steam instead of fry). Take your time to build up a deep brown colour, which will add lots of meaty flavour to the stew. Set the meat aside on a plate as you go.
Add the remaining oil to the dish along with the onion and garlic. Cook for until softened, then stir in the spices, tomatoes, lemon zest and juice, honey and molasses. Fill the tomato can halfway with water, swill around and add this too. Season well, bring to a simmer and cover with a lid. Reduce the heat and cook for 2 hrs -3 hrs or until the meat is tender. Leave to cool.
Heat oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Transfer the meat to a pie dish that's about 25 cm wide, or leave it in the casserole if it's wide enough to fit the topping. Unwrap the filo and brush a sheet with butter, scrunch up and place on top of the pie. Continue with the remaining sheets until the tagine is covered. Drizzle any remaining butter over the top and scatter over the almonds, then bake for or until the pastry is crisp and golden. Scatter over the pomegranate seeds just before serving.