Meat pie

Hey guys!!! missed me huh? missed blogging too...been so busy, it's crazy! so, back to business...i've been wanting to make some meat pies for a while now, made some some years back, but i still have been on the hunt for the perfect recipe for the perfect crust + filling...and i just found it some days ago! imagine my excitement!!!


Meat pies are one of those snacks, or 'small chops' like we say in naija, that when made right, just leave you wanting more and more. Since i moved to ghana about 6 years ago, one of the things i really miss from Nigeria is good ol' meat pie! Unfortunately, i've found that (no disrespect o), my Ghanaian(or as my fellow grub-ninja Cecil would say...it's only kumasi! hehe) compadres were probably not really paying attention when the recipe was being shared or something. Almost all the meat pies i've seen or sampled here seem to be lacking the most important ingredient- MEAT!!!!
imagine my shock!!!

are you like me, just searching for the best meat pie in town??? well, just grab an apron and get to it then! cos you may find that the best MEAT pie, would come from YOUR kitchen!

You will need

For the dough

4 cups of flour
1/2 cup or 113g of butter (a bit softened. not melted!)
1 tsp of salt
6 tbsp of water (i found that you would need a little more)

The yummy filling

Minced meat
1 large carrot, peeled and diced(into tiny squares)
1 potato, peeled and diced (same as carrot)
Seasoning (maggi, all seasoning)

Also, 1 beaten egg for glazing.


Let's get started, shall we...

In a mixing bowl, mix the butter into the flour, as evenly as possible. Next, add the salt and water. Keep adding the water, just a little at a time, till it mixes into a pliable dough...not too stiff and not sticky. if too sticky, you can add some more flour. Cover bowl with a towel and set aside.




Now time for the filling. Sauté the minced meat in about 1tbsp of oil. Next, add the seasoning. I took the easy way out and just used some all-purpose seasoning, and very little maggi (about 1/4 of a cube), and some salt. Basically, just season to your taste. Then add the diced carrot and potato, cover and allow to simmer for about 20 mins. Taste to see if you need some more seasoning, then leave to cook about 5-10 minutes more or until the potatoes/carrots are soft. Set aside for cooling.



Now for the assembling...

Take out the dough and put on a clean, flat surface. Roll out thinly with a rolling pin. Then with either a pizza cutter or a small round saucer, cut out into round pieces. Take about a tablespoonful of the filling and place in the center, fold over into a half-circle and seal the edges pinning down with a fork. Do this for the rest of the pies, and afterwards, lightly brush on the egg glaze on each pie.



Place the pies on some baking paper and place in the oven to bake at about 180 degrees Celsius (gas mark 4) for about 20-30 minutes or until a slight golden brown.

Now for the eating...

Allow to cool so you don't burn your tongue, then start munching away! Wash down with some chilled drinks! I literally could not stop eating.

Let us know what you think. Happy baking!













Source: Adapted from Lohi's Creations http://www.lohiscreations.com/ a Nigerian food and photography blog