Miguel Barclay, better known as “the £1 chef”, is the brains behind the successful Instagram account and YouTube channel, One Pound Meals.
The chef has plenty of recipes in his repertoire that are both easy and budget-friendly, ranging from snacks to hearty winter dishes – one of which is a cheese, ham and leek pie.
Sharing it on his website, Miguel claimed: “This is comfort food at its best! A luxuriously gooey cheesy sauce with a flaky pastry lid and all made with the very minimum of effort.
“By using normal sandwich ham instead of more expensive ingredients, this is a great example of how cooking on a budget does not have to compromise your enjoyment of food.”
It’s quick to make in just half an hour and requires six simple ingredients.
Cheese, ham and leek pie recipe
A nice hot oven is essential for that trademark golden hue on the pastry lid, so start by preheating the appliance to 190C.
Next, prepare the filling by tearing the ham into chunks, chopping the leek into rounds and grating the cheddar cheese.
In a pan, fry the leeks over medium heat with a splash of olive oil, allowing them to soften for a few minutes.
Measure the flour and pour it into the pan before leaving it to cook with the leeks for around one minute.
Measure out the milk and add it very slowly to the pan, stirring as you go to avoid any lumps in the flour.
Once the sauce is smooth, remove the pan from the heat, stir in the cheese, and add the ham along with a sprinkling of salt and pepper.
Transfer the filling to a greased pie dish, then top the pie with a piece of puff pastry cut to size and cook it in the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown on top.
Repeat the steps as necessary to make as many one-portion pies as you like.
