-
1
Prepare dough: In a small bowl, combine 3 cups flour and diced butter.
-
2
Put in freezer for 10 minutes.
-
3
Using a food processor, pulse mixture until it resembles coarse bread crumbs.
-
4
With processor running, gradually add 2 eggs until mixture forms a ball; if necessary, add a little iced water.
-
5
Transfer dough to a work surface and shape into four disks, making two slightly bigger than the others.
-
6
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate while making filling.
-
7
Prepare filling: Place a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat and melt butter.
-
8
Whisk in 5 tablespoons flour and bouillon granules.
-
9
Remove mixture from heat, and gradually whisk in milk to make smooth paste.
-
10
Return pan to medium heat, and whisk constantly until simmering.
-
11
Reduce heat to low; continue to whisk until sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
-
12
Transfer mixture to large bowl, cover surface with dampened parchment paper; set aside to cool.
-
13
Bring a kettle of water to a boil.
-
14
Put peas in a sieve and pour boiling water over them, draining well.
-
15
Mix peas, chicken and ham into cooled white sauce.
-
16
Assemble and bake pies: Place a baking sheet in a 400-degree oven.
-
17
Set aside four 1 1/4-cup pie dishes about 1 1/2 inches deep.
-
18
Halve each of the bigger disks of pastry.
-
19
Roll each piece to a size big enough to line base and sides of a pie dish with a generous lip of pastry hanging over edge.
-
20
Spoon equal portions of filling into each shell.
-
21
Halve remaining two pieces of dough, and roll out to make four pie lids.
-
22
Dampen edges of pastry with water, and place a lid on each pie.
-
23
Using a knife, trim excess pastry from around sides.
-
24
Seal edges of pies with tines of a fork, and decorate as desired with leftover dough scraps.
-
25
Using a pastry brush, paint pies with beaten egg.
-
26
With point of a knife, cut a tiny cross in center of each pie or make small diagonal slashes.
-
27
Place pies on baking sheet and bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
-
28
When pies are ready, use oven mitts to turn them upside down, remove them from their dishes and place on serving plates.
