A Greater Manchester pie maker has crafted the ultimate Wigan pie - flavoured with the iconic Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls. The award-winning Baldy’s Pies, based in the centre of Wigan, has used a specially made liquid mint ball flavouring to accent a new lamb pie, to help celebrate 125 years of the legendary sweet.
In posts to Facebook and Instagram, owner Alex Melling said: “Let’s make some Wigan magic happen today… Never been done before… Baldy’s Uncle Joe’s minted lamb pie.” Next to the post was a picture of the container full of the neat mint ball syrup.
The reception has so far been hugely positive. “Definitely gonna give this one a try. Sounds just awesome!” said one pie fan. “Love that your [sic] constantly pushing the boundaries,” added another. The pie itself is made with lamb shoulder, braised in Uncle Joe's 'secret mint recipe', lamb fat hotpot potatoes, carrots, rosemary and an Uncle Joe's mint jelly.
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Melling told the Manchester Evening News: “I’ve known the [Winnard] family for a long time, and they like a Baldy’s pie. I thought if I could introduce a minted lamb pie with Uncle Joe’s, it would be a pretty cool collaboration, considering Uncle’s Joe’s is super Wigan.
“They’ve given me a syrup specially made for us, and I’ve incorporated that into the gravy, and I’ve made a jelly too for the top of the pie. There’s quite a significant difference between fresh mint and peppermint, so it was hard trying to get the balance. I’ve had to counteract the sweetness with a few secret ingredients.”
He went on: “I’ve got a few little tweaks, but If I can get this pie right, I’ll be putting it forward to the British Pie Awards next month, and try and bring it home for Wigan.”
It will join his other rotating pie fillings, including the Big Jim, with 14-hour braised beef shin, the Matilda & Anne, with rump mince and haggis, and the Triple Truffled Cheese. The piemaker is also known for his take on the ‘Wigan kebab’, a pie served on a bacon fat brioche with marrowfat mushy peas, buttered mash, crispy shallots and chives with Baldy’s signature gravy.
It comes after Melling announced he is to close his walk-in pie shop, on Clayton Street, later this month due to rocketing bills. In another social media post, he said: “I’m sure everyone is aware of the current situation with the energy crisis and if you aren’t, then most bills for hospitality have gone up 400%.
“It’s been hard enough for people in general, but it’s been even harder for small independent businesses to survive.” The business will be re-launching as a ‘dark kitchen’ set up instead next month. The pie shop will remain open until February 19.
“We are the biggest award winning company in the area & we will not be defeated! Watch this space guys,” he added.
The Uncle Joe's pie is available from the Clayton Street shop from today until Saturday. You can also order via the Baldy's Facebook page.
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