Weekend

So I had a long weekend - took Thursday and Friday off. Kate's parent came down and we spent some time knocking around the local area - went to Cafe Rouge in Hitchin (it was late on and they were right to hand when we decided we needed lunch) and picked up some cheese from the Italian market. Also got some beef skirt from the butchers on the main square (sorry, momentarily forgot the name) and Sloe Gin too (makes a great cocktail with Chapel Down Brut).

The day before Kate and I had picked up some pork belly from our local butcher (not actually that local, such is the paucity of decent meat in our area) so I made that on Friday with roast vegetables (inc. the first time I've roasted cabbage - surprisingly successful.) The pork was excellent and so, feeling cocky, I launched into making pie from the skirt - cooking the meat on Friday, with a little Newcastle Brown Ale, and then making the pastry on Saturday. There was a little pastry left over too, so I made a blackcurrant and peach crumble as well.

Now it must be said that I have no pastry experience. You might even say I'm scared of pastry. But with some useful pointers from Kate's mom (don't dribble in the water, put it all in at once) we ended up with a pie that I'm horribly proud of. Hubris comes from sucessful pastry making.

Sunday we were all stuffed, so we had cheese sandwiches using the Italian cheese (and yes, a little left over pie later on too).

So, now the big question: Kate's invited friends for dinner on Saturday. Should I stick to something I know is repeatable and safe or carry on with my pastry and have a go at a different pie?