Ham, Cabbage and Potato Pie With Irish Cheddar Crust

Serves 6 to 8.

Note: With sautéed leeks, cabbage, ham and potatoes, all swimming in a thyme-scented creamy sauce, there's a whole lot of Irish packed into this cheddar-crust pot pie. Cheeses differ in their moisture levels. If your cheese is very dry, you may have to add a little more water to your crust to get it to come together. From Meredith Deeds.

Crust:

• 2 1/2 c. flour

• 1 tsp. salt

• 10 tbsp. unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes

• 1/2 c. ice water, plus more as needed

• 1 3/4 c. shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese (preferably Irish)

• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Filling:

• 1/4 c. unsalted butter

• 1 c. thinly sliced leeks (about 1 medium leek)

• 2 c. chopped green cabbage

• 4 tbsp. flour

• 2 c. chicken broth

• 1 c. peeled and cubed (1/4-in.) Yukon Gold potatoes (6 oz.)

• 1 tbsp. whole grain mustard

• 1 1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 c. heavy cream

• 2 c. cubed (1/2-in.) ham

Directions

To prepare the crust: Mix the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter and cheese until pieces are pea-size. (Alternatively, combine ingredients in a food processor and pulse 8 or 9 times. Transfer to a bowl.) Sprinkle the ice water over the top and mix until incorporated. Pinch dough with your fingers; if dough feels dry and does not hold together, sprinkle an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of ice water over mixture and gently mix until the dough forms large clumps and no dry flour remains. Do not overwork the dough.

Divide dough in half and form each half into 4‑inch disks. Wrap disks tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Let chilled dough sit on counter to soften slightly, about 15 minutes, just before rolling.

To prepare the filling: Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring, until the leeks begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add cabbage and continue to cook, stirring, for another 4 to 5 minutes, until softened. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Slowly stir in broth and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Stir in potatoes, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce is thickened and potato is tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cream and ham.

Spread out filling on a large, rimmed baking sheet and chill for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to the lowest position and heat oven to 425 degrees.

Lightly flour a clean work surface and roll 1 disk of dough into 12‑inch circle. Fold pastry into fourths and transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Unfold and ease pastry into pie plate without stretching it. Roll remaining half of dough into a 12-inch circle.

Transfer cooled filling to dough-lined pie plate (filling should only come up to within 1/2 inch of the pie plate rim). Gently transfer remaining dough circle onto filling. Trim overhang to 1/2 inch beyond lip of plate. Pinch edges of top and bottom crusts firmly together. Tuck overhang under itself; folded edge should be flush with edge of plate. Crimp dough evenly around edge of plate using your fingers. Cut four 2-inch slits in top of dough.

In a small bowl, mix beaten egg together with 1 tablespoon water and brush over the top crust. Place pie on rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, rotating pan after 20 minutes, until crust is deep golden brown. Cover edges with foil if they begin to brown too much. Let pie cool on wire rack for at least 20 minutes before serving.