Steak pie help

[sherrardk]

I a looking to make a steak pie that everyone will eat but I have some questions. Do I have to cook the steak thoroughly before I put the pastry on? Is it sufficient to make a sort of steak and thick(ish) gravy (they won't eat mushrooms and I don't want to use any booze). And what sort of pastry would be best - I was thinking puff pastry? Thanks for any help (if it's not nice then they won't eat it and they will be hungry).

[EDDIE51]

To those of you who do not brown/sear the meat just do an experiment , one pie / stew/ casserole with searing one with out and then just try them.
You WILL taste the diffrence. Browning/searing seals in the juice and flavour of the meat there is a very real diffrence for very little more effort.