Rose's March Shop Watch: Mrs King's Pork Pie

Mrs King's Pork Pie

Forman and Field, H.G. Walter

What?
Mrs King's Melton Mowbray Pork Pie

Why?
Celebrate this humble British snack   

The pork pie seems to belong to a bygone era: of pubs and picnics; of chutneys and pickles; of Grantchester and Father Brown; of Enid Blyton and Just William; of a bucolic existence deep in the English countryside. In fact the pork pie is so quintessentially British, it might as well come packaged in a Union Jack. And it is also very moreish. As Delia says “ The thing I can’t resist is a pork pie. That’s my idea of a lovely treat”. And a Mrs King’s Melton Mowbray pork pie is just that.

It has won many awards and is made to a recipe dating back to 1853. It contains all that you look for in a pork pie: the pastry has a really crisp bottom, a crunchiness to the top and a softer yielding centre; the filling has just the right amount of spicing; and no pork pie is worth its salt without a good layer of jelly inside. In fact, I cannot better their own description:

“We start by carefully making the very best hot water crust pastry, bringing boiling water and lard together then pouring onto strong wheat flour, with a little sea salt to taste. This is then allowed to rest overnight ready for pie making – no rushing! We only use fresh shoulder joint cuts for our pies, all from British pigs, hand seasoned to our family recipe. Wonderful, tasty, savoury jelly fills the pie, made from the juices of the slowly simmered trotter stock. Baked to perfection, the result is rich golden brown pastry with its characteristic belly shape which, when cut open, reveals the succulent uncured pork with a peppery aftertaste, surrounded by soft jelly stock.”  I am already hungry!

The Melton Mowbray pie was awarded PGI status (Protected Geographical Indication) in 2008, meaning it can only be made in a particular way in a specific area of Leicestershire near the town of Melton Mowbray, putting it alongside Champagne and Parma ham. But this humble snack can certainly hold its own in this company. It is best eaten cold, either cut open on its own, or as part of a nice crisp salad, and should ideally be accompanied by pickled onions, or piccalilli or a home-made chutney or even an apple sauce. However you eat it, enjoy this ultimate treat.

Conclusion:
A treat to be savoured

Product Details:
Mrs King's Melton Mowbray Pork Pie 
Regular £5,95 (320g)
Large £8.50 (500g)

Contact:
Forman and Field
Tel.: 0203 601 5464
formanandfield.com

H.G. Walter butcher
Tel.: 0207 385 6466
hgwalter.com

Availability and price as at 28th February 2019

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