Chicken and Ham Hock PIE with Garlicky Butter Bean and Kale Mash

Serves 4 – 6

This is one of my family favourites, especially for those chilly autumnal evenings. The butterbean, garlic and mascarpone mash that we’ve used to top this pie makes a great alternative to pastry and what’s more, it’s gluten-free. Serve with your favourite greens and a good helping of family and friends. – Camilla Stephens, co-founder of Higgidy

EQUIPMENT
1 x 2-litre ovenproof pie dish

FOR THE FILLING
2–3 tbsp chickpea flour
2 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
500g chicken thighs
2 tbsp olive oil
100g or 4 large banana shallots, quartered
350ml hot chicken stock
200g cooked ham hock, pulled or shredded into finger-length pieces
250g mascarpone
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

FOR THE MASH
1 tbsp olive oil
25g butter
2 garlic cloves, crushed
75g kale, shredded
2 x 400g tins of butter beans
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas mark 6. For the filling, mix together the chickpea flour, mustard powder and cayenne in a large bowl. Slice the chicken thighs into large bite-sized chunks, then toss in the chickpea flour mixture to coat.

2. Heat a tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, shallow casserole pan or a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the shallots and fry for 3–4 minutes or until they have just begun to caramelise. Lift out of the pan and set aside. Add a further tablespoon of oil to the pan and fry the chicken pieces over a high heat for 2–3 minutes, then turn over and fry for a further 2–3 minutes or until golden.

3. Lower the heat slightly, return the shallots to the pan, add the hot chicken stock and give the mixture a good stir. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 6–7 minutes. You may need to stir the sauce halfway through to stop the mixture catching on the bottom of the pan. When the chicken mixture is done, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the ham and 100g of the mascarpone. Season with salt and pepper and tip into the ovenproof dish.

4. To make the mash, heat the oil and butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat until sizzling. Add the garlic, kale and 50ml water. Turn the heat to low, cover and cook for 8 minutes or until the kale has wilted and is tender. Meanwhile, drain the beans and rinse well under the tap. Using a fork or potato masher, squish the beans to a knobbly mush. Stir the beans into the kale and garlic mixture and add the remaining mascarpone and the lemon juice and zest, reserving a little zest for sprinkling. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Spoon the butter bean mash over the chicken mixture and bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes. Sprinkle over the remaining lemon zest and serve piping hot.

Higgidy: The Cookbook: 100 recipes for pies and more by Camilla Stephens is available here