Homemade Meat Pie: A Delicious Comfort Food

Homemade Meat Pie: A Delicious Comfort Food

 

Yields: About 12 pies

Prep time: 1 hour

Cook time: 30-40 minutes

 

Ingredients:

 

For the Pastry:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup cold butter, cubed

1 egg, beaten

Ice water

 

For the Filling:

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 carrot, grated

1 tea spoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon curry powder (optional)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 cup beef broth

 

Instructions:

 

Preparing the Pastry:

1. combine the flour and salt in a large bowl.

2. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and ice water.

4. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until the dough just begins to come together. Avoid overmixing.

5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill.

 

Preparing the Filling:

1. brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.

2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, bell pepper, and grated carrot to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened.

3. Stir in the dried thyme, black pepper, salt, nutmeg, and curry powder (if using).

4. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.

5. Gradually add the beef broth while stirring, allowing the mixture to thicken and come to a boil.

6. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the filling has thickened nicely.

7. Set the filling aside to cool completely before assembling the pies.

 

Assembling and Baking the Pies:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Roll out the chilled pastry dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.

3. Using a cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough.

4. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each dough .

5. Lightly moisten the edges of the dough with water, fold it over the filling, and crimp the edges to seal securely.

6. Arrange the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg for a glossy finish.

8. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is fully cooked.

9. Allow the pies to cool before serving.

 

Tips:

For a richer flavor, opt for butter instead of margarine.

Feel free to add additional vegetables to the filling, such as peas or corn, for more variety.

If you prefer a spicier pie, increase the black pepper or add a pinch of cayenne.

To prevent soggy bottoms, preheat the baking sheet before placing the pies on it.

 

Enjoy your homemade meat pies!