Curried Shellfish Pot Pie

Ingredients

50 gr butter
65 gr unbleached all-purpose flour
240 ml clam broth
180 ml dry sherry
240 ml cream
16 ml lemon juice
45 gr ginger
3 garlic
14 gr curry powder
1 gr pepper
14 gr flat-leaf parsley
1/2 meat from
100 gr lobster
375 gr shrimp
180 gr young carrots
2 in lengths
40 gr shiitake mushrooms stems removed
120 gr slivered almonds
240 gr petite peas
375 gr pearl onions defrosted
425 gr all-butter puff pastry
1 egg
16 ml water

Instructions

PREHEAT OVEN TO 220ºC . Invert a 3 litre oval or rectangular casserole, preferably earthenware or porcelain, onto a piece of parchment or waxed paper. Trace the shape, adding a 3 cm border all around, then cut it out. In a large heavy skillet, heat the butter over medium high heat until it foams. Whisk in the flour, adjust the heat to medium low, and continue cooking until the flour is light-cream colored, about 2 minutes. Stir in the clam broth, sherry, cream and lemon juice. Adjust the heat to medium high, and slowly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook 30 seconds longer. It will be quite thick. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the ginger, garlic, curry powder, red pepper, salt and black pepper. Let the mixture cook slightly, then fold in the parsley, lobster, shrimp, carrots, mushrooms, almonds, peas and onions. Scrape the filling into the casserole. On a slightly floured work space, roll the puff pastry to a thickness of 1 cm. Cut it out, using the paper template. In the center of the pastry, cut out an air hole about 1 cm in diameter. Place the pastry over the casserole, pressing it down on the sides to seal. Cut the remaining pastry into strips or shapes and decorate the top of the pot pie. (This dish may be prepared ahead to this point, covered and refrigerated up to 1 day.) Brush the top with the egg wash. To help prevent the liquid from boiling over onto the crust, make a steam vent by rolling a 8 cm strip of heavy aluminum foil width-wise around a wooden spoon handle. Insert it gently into the hole. Remove spoon, leaving foil in place. Place the casserole on a cookie sheet and transfer it to the middle of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 190ºC and continue baking for 20-to-25 minutes longer, or until the pastry is puffed and rich golden brown. Remove the pan, let it rest with the vent inside for 15-to-20 minutes to keep the crust from becoming soggy.