Chef's Steak Pie Hack
Chef Angela Hartnett reveals her secret to making steak pie "buttery and rich" — adding one key fridge staple to the beef pie that elevates the sauce's flavor and texture. The simple hack transforms traditional comfort food with a thoughtful tweak for extra indulgence.
The secret ingredient is a simple knob of butter, added to the vegetables and tomato puree to enrich the final sauce. For thickening, Hartnett whisks in a paste of equal parts softened butter and flour, a classic French technique known as a beurre manié. The recipe itself was demonstrated by Hartnett on the "Dish from Waitrose" podcast, which she co-hosts with broadcaster Nick Grimshaw. The steak pie was served to comedian Tom Davis, using a recipe from food journalist Diana Henry. Angela Hartnett is a protégée of Gordon Ramsay and was his Chef-Patron at The Connaught in London. She earned her first Michelin star in 2004. Her culinary style is heavily influenced by her Italian grandmother and mother. Today, Hartnett is the Chef-Patron of Murano in Mayfair, which was awarded a Michelin star within four months of opening in 2008 and currently holds 4 AA Rosettes. She also oversees several other acclaimed restaurants, including Café Murano and Hartnett Holder & Co.
