Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 4
Step into the rustic kitchens of medieval England with Rook Pie, a once-popular game dish enjoyed by both commoners and aristocrats. 🏰✨ Traditionally made with young rooks (a type of crow), this savory pie featured rich, slow-cooked meat, flavorful herbs, and a buttery, golden crust. Today, while rooks are no longer commonly eaten, this recipe can be adapted using pigeon, duck, or even mushrooms for a historical yet accessible twist! 🍽️🔥
Ingredients For Rook Pie
🔥 For the Filling:
☑ 4 young rooks (or substitute with pigeon, duck, or chicken) 🐦
☑ 1 tablespoon🥄 butter or suet 🧈
☑ 1 onion, finely chopped 🧅
☑ 2 carrots, diced 🥕
☑ 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 🍄 (for a modern twist)
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 salt 🧂
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 black pepper 🌶
☑ 1 teaspoon🥄 dried thyme or sage 🌿
☑ 1 cup beef or game stock 🍲
☑ ½ cup red wine 🍷 (optional, for richer flavor)
☑ 1 tablespoon🥄 flour (for thickening)
🔥 For the Pastry:
☑ 2 cups flour 🌾
☑ ½ teaspoon🥄 salt 🧂
☑ ½ cup butter or lard, chilled 🧈
☑ 5 tablespoons🥄 cold water 💧
👩🍳 Cooking Steps For Rook Pie
🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Filling
1️⃣ If using traditional rooks, clean and soak them in salt water for 2 hours to remove bitterness.
2️⃣ In a pan, melt butter and sauté onions until golden. Add carrots, mushrooms (if using), and rook meat.
3️⃣ Season with salt, pepper, and thyme, then sprinkle in flour and stir to coat.
4️⃣ Pour in stock (and wine, if using) and simmer for 1 hour until the meat is tender.
🔥 Step 2: Make the Pastry
1️⃣ Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2️⃣ Add cold water gradually, kneading into a firm dough. Chill for 30 minutes.
🔥 Step 3: Assemble & Bake the Pie
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2️⃣ Roll out half the pastry and line a pie dish. Add the cooked filling.
3️⃣ Cover with the remaining pastry, sealing the edges and making a small vent in the center.
4️⃣ Bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown.
🔥 Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!
1️⃣ Let the pie rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for an authentic medieval meal!
🏰 Rook Pie: A Taste of Medieval Britain! 🥧🔥
Once a gamekeeper’s delicacy, Rook Pie is a historic dish that reflects the resourceful cooking traditions of the past. Try this modern adaptation and experience a forgotten piece of culinary history!
🌍 Craving More Extreme Culinary Adventures? If you’re fascinated by rare and ancient food traditions, explore our guide to Jhal Muri: Kolkata’s Iconic Spicy Puffed Rice Snack! You Need to Try! with Indigenous Roots for the Adventurous Food Lover.
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