Chicken & Leek Pie

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium leeks, washed, trimmed and thickly sliced
• 750g chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
• 3 smoked bacon rashers, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• ½ tsp thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 150ml chicken stock, hot
• 142ml cream
• 375g pack ready-rolled pastry
• 1 medium egg

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat.

Add the onion and leeks and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Add the chicken pieces and bacon and cook, stirring, for another 4-5 minutes.

Stir in the garlic. Pour in the stock and simmer until reduced by half. Add the thyme, bay leaves and cream, bring to the boil, then simmer for 5-6 minutes until thickened.

Season, then spoon into a 2½-litre pie dish (or 4 x 300ml ovenproof dishes). Set aside to cool.

Brush a little water along the edge of the pie dish or dishes. Unroll the pastry and cut out a piece large enough to cover the dish or dishes. Press down the edges and trim off the excess. Snip a small hole in the centre of the pastry to let the steam escape. Put on a baking tray and chill for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220°C/fan200°C/gas 7.

Beat the egg with a little salt, then brush over the pastry. Bake for 40-45 minutes (20-25 minutes if you are making individual pies) until the pastry is golden.