Ingredients:

1 kg pork shoulder, trimmed and diced into bite-sized chunks

2 large onions, peeled and roughly chopped

2 sticks of celery, trimmed and chopped

1 leek, washed and sliced into rings

1 fat clove of garlic, peeled and chopped

300 ml chicken stock

300 ml dry cider or apple juice

Pinch of dried thyme and a bay leaf

Olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tspn cornflour dissolved in a little cold water

1 large sharp eating apple, topped and tailed but unpeeled and uncored

300g shortcrust pastry

Egg wash, to glaze

Method:

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a deep frying pan and brown the meat in batches, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Scoop onto a plate and set aside.

Add a little more oil to the pan and gently fry the onion, celery, leek and garlic until softened, scraping up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.

Put the meat back in, add the herbs, stock and apple juice and stir well. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Put a lid on and simmer gently for around an hour, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender.

The liquid should have reduced by now. Thicken it with the cornflour, cook off the floury taste for a few minutes, check the seasoning then set aside to cool.

Heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6 and put in a baking sheet to heat up.

Take two-thirds of the pastry and roll it out thinly on a floured board to line a 22-24 cm pie tin. Put it in the fridge while you wait for the filling to cool.

Spoon half the cooled meat mixture into the pie tin. Cut the apple into horizontal slices and arrange on the pie filling, then top with the remaining meat.

Egg wash the rim then roll out the remaining pastry and place on top. Crimp the edges to seal and cut a cross in the centre for the steam to escape. Brush with egg wash to glaze and re-roll any pastry scraps to decorate.

Place on the baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.