Chicken and sweetcorn pie

Method

• step 1

  Preheat oven to 180C / 350F / gas 4.

• step 2

  Make the pastry: Mix the flour and butter together into a crumbly mixture. Add the water a little at a time and mix to a smooth dough. Divide the dough into two pieces. Roll the first out on a clean, floured surface using a well floured rolling pin and line the pie dish. Bake blind for 20 mins. Keep the other lump of dough wrapped in clingfilm in the fridge for now.

• step 3

  Meanwhile make the filling: Melt the butter in a frying pan and cook the chopped onion for 5 minutes until softened. Add the bacon and fry for a further 5 minutes. Finally add the chicken and cook for a further 5 minutes or until the chicken pieces are golden brown. Drain and put to one side.

• step 4

  Make a white sauce: In a small saucepan melt the butter on a gentle heat, and gradually stir in the flour to make a roux. Add the milk a little at a time, whisking as you go to avoid lumps.

• step 5

  Open the cardomom pods with a sharp knife and discard the pod cases. Crush the middles using a pestle and mortar. Add the nutmeg and stir into the white sauce.

• step 6

  Mix the chicken, bacon and onions into the white sauce. Drain the tin of sweetcorn. Add this in and mix well.

• step 7

  Pour the filling into the cooked pastry case. Roll out the other piece of dough into a lid for the top of the pie. Brush with a little milk and bake for a further 45 minutes.