Method
Heat the oil in the pan with the onion and garlic for 1 mintue.
Add the steak – I usually cut the steak gradually into the pan. Cook until the meat is seared all over and there is no pink left. By this time there will be some juice in the pan and this should be sizzling.
Pour in half the Ale and allow to simmer for a minute, then pour in the rest with the thyme, chilli powder salt and pepper.
Crumble in the oxo cubes- both the beef and the vegetables. (you may want to use more or less cubes depending on how thick you like the gravy). Add in the chopped vegetables.
Simmer for 10 mintues and then transfer to a large casserol pot. If the gravy doesnt cover the meat then add some water and mix in.
Pop the dish into the oven at gas mark 3 or 4 and leave for at least 1 hour 30 mins.
20 minutes before you want to serve, roll out the pastry and cut appropriate size tops for your pie dishes. Take the dish out of the oven and ladel the meat into the individual dishes. Pop on the tops on the dishes and put back in the oven for 20 mins (gas 4).
Take out of the oven and leave to cool for a while- as the filling can be extremely hot!
Add a selection of summer vegetables and some loose Jersey Royals potatoes or dollop of mash to compliment the meal Enjoy!