The Perfect Pastry to Pack for Your Picnic – Here’s How to Make It

With summer in full swing, picnics are firmly on the menu.

Whether you’re planning a laid-back lunch in the park or a weekend gathering with friends, Doves Farm – the UK’s No.1 organic flour brand – has shared five irresistible sweet and savoury recipes to take your spread to the next level.

Think golden sausage rolls, flavour-packed quiches, and sweet, nostalgic jam tarts — all made using Doves Farm’s award-winning organic flours. From their versatile Organic Plain White Flour to their distinctive Organic White Rye Flour, milled from ancient grain for bold flavour, there’s a recipe (and a flour) for every taste.

With over 40 years of heritage and a range of 24 different flours, Doves Farm has something to suit every summer baker — whether you’re keeping it classic or getting creative. Here is how to elevate your picnic with the perfect homemade pastry.

Raised Pork Pie with Hot Water Pastry

Equipment:

• 15cm/6” round, loose bottom deep cake tin, 3cm/1¼” cookie cutter or egg cup, mixing bowls, saucepan and oven tray

Ingredients:

Hot Water Pastry

• 300g Doves Farm Organic Plain White Flour
• pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• 150ml water
• 100g lard
• butter, for tin

Pork Pie Filling

• 1 tsp chopped sage
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp mace
• ¼ tsp ground pepper
• 1 tsp lemon rind, grated
• 300g minced pork
• 200g pork sausage meat
• 200g bacon cubes

Method:

170°C, Fan 150°C, 325°F, Gas 3

Hot Water Pastry

1. Put the flour and salt into a bowl and stir to combine.
2. Break the egg into the middle of the flour. Beat the egg, in the bowl, combining it with the flour until it is dispersed through the flour.
3. Measure the water into a saucepan, add the lard and put over a medium heat.
4. As soon as the pan comes to the boil, remove it from the heat.
5. Pour the hot liquid into the flour mixture while stirring.
6. Using your hands gather the mix together to form a soft and smooth ball of dough.
7. Cover and leave for 20 minutes.

Pork Pie Filling

1. Measure the sage, salt, mace and ground pepper into a small bowl and stir to combine.
2. Finely grate the lemon rind into the bowl and stir to make the seasoning mix.
3. Put the pork mince, sausage meat and chopped bacon into a mixing bowl and mix together well.
4. Stir in the seasoning mix.

Raised Pork Pie

1. Pre heat the oven.
2. Rub butter generously around the base and sides of a 15cm/6” round, loose bottom, deep cake tin or insert a baking liner.
3. Take two thirds of the pastry and press it into the bottom and sides of the dish.
4. Tip the pie filling into the pastry lined tin and smooth the top.
5. Moisten the pastry rim with water.
6. Lightly dust the work surface with flour, put the remaining dough in the middle and sprinkle it with more flour.
7. Roll the pastry into a 15cm/6” circle.
8. Brush a little water around the circumference of the pastry circle.
9. Press a 3cm/1¼” cookie cutter or egg cup into the centre of the pastry and remove the small pastry circle. This will allow steam to escape during cooking.
10. Transfer the pastry circle over the filled pie, inverting it so the moistened side is down.
11. Press, pinch or crimp together the outside edges using your fingers or the flat prongs of a fork.
12. Brush the remaining beaten egg over the top of the pie.
13. Place the pie on an oven tray and bake for 70-80 minutes until golden.
14. Allow the pie to cool completely in the tin.
15. Carefully push and lift the cold pie out of the tin.
16. Wrap the pie and refrigerate. Best eaten within 3-4 days.

Raise a Glass: The Best Pimms Recipes and Refreshing Summer Drinks to Try Now