Cheese and Onion Pie

Cheese and onion pie is a filling classic of British vegetarian cooking: sweetish braised onion and mature cheddar in a crisp pastry crust.

1. Slice the onion and sweat it slowly in the butter until glassy – it should not take on colour, just soften and sweeten.

2. Sprinkle over flour, pour in milk and cook it into a thick sauce.

3. Stir in the grated cheddar, season with salt and pepper, then cool it completely.

4. Line a pie dish with puff pastry.

5. Smooth in the cheese and onion filling, cover with pastry, and brush the top with beaten egg.

6. Bake at 190 °C until golden.

Tip: A vegetarian classic – it is really characterful with mature cheddar; cool the filling completely so the pastry does not go soggy.