In the grand scheme of all things cold meat pie, how important is the aspic?

[Slubberdegullion]

I would like to make a big pie for Christmas eve, a cold one for cutting, it has pretty layers of things in - a bit huntsman but more Christmassy.

The recipe calls for aspic. I have to cook the pie and then once it has cooled I have to pour the molten aspic into the pie via a funnel.

FIL hates aspic and tbh it's not up there on my desert island food stuffs.

Is it quintessential to the pie? Will the pie fall apart without it?

and lastly where oh where does one even buy aspic?

tia

I don't know the anwser, but I would guess that the aspic helps the pie to keep longer.

I would make it without, but I take risks like that!

lol living on the edge there frenchfancy leaving out your aspic.

tbh the whole funneling it into the pie after it's done makes me anxious.

depends really, what are the layers?
You could make it hold together well if you stacked them right, ie, startch, protien, vegtable ( sliced or mashed ).
I wouldn't worry too much about the protective qualities of aspic so long as you cool down as quickly as possible and store it in an air tight container and eat within 24/36 hours etc.

Layers are
sausage meat (with herbs/onion etc) then turkey breast (will probably use chicken)
cranberry and possibly something else fruity
turkey
sausage meat

the cooked sausage meat will be pretty firm wont it?

Aspic makes it easier to cut, doesn't affect the keeping properties I think. If you make and freeze the pie the aspic goes in once thawed.

Sometimes I use aspic, sometimes not. Is this a Good Food recipe? Sounds like one I did a few years ago, which I'm sure I didn't use aspic in.

no, it's from The Ultimate Christmas Book (or somesuch)

So you think if I leave out the aspic then the pie will still work and look nice when I cut into it?

Most people pick out and discard the aspic anyway (or is that just my family?).

I do think you should add a 'surprise' layer to make the pie more interesting - custard, perhaps, or chocolate fudge!

LOL

or perhaps a layer of Littlest Pet Shop animals? Imagine the dds faces as I cut it open....