Delicious Homemade Natchitoches Meat Pies Recipe
45
min
355
Calories
22g
Fats
22g
Carbs
14g
Protein
Indulge in the southern charm of Natchitoches Meat Pies! A savory blend of ground beef, onions, and spices wrapped in a crispy, handmade dough. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in, these meat pies are sure to impress with every bite.
Ingredients:
Step 1: Brown the Meat
Start by heating a bit of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it's nicely browned. This step is crucial for developing a deep, savory flavor in our pies. Make sure to break the beef apart with a spoon as it cooks, ensuring even browning.
Pro Tip: Keep the heat moderate to avoid burning the meat.
Step 2: Sauté Vegetables
To the skillet with the browned beef, add your chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Adding minced garlic at the end and sautéing for another minute fills the kitchen with a lovely aroma and adds a punch of flavor to our meat mixture.
Pro Tip: Cooking garlic for a short period preserves its flavor.
Step 3: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl or food processor, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Cut in the shortening until the mixture looks like cornmeal. This texture is key for a flaky crust. Mix the beaten egg with milk and slowly incorporate it into the flour mixture to form a soft dough. Handling the dough gently at this stage ensures a tender pie crust.
Pro Tip: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling for easier handling.
Step 4: Assemble the Pies
Divide the dough into 16 equal portions, rolling each into a ball. Then, on a floured surface, roll each ball into a circle, 6-8 inches in diameter. Spoon a generous amount of the meat mixture onto one side of each circle, leaving a clean edge for sealing. After brushing the edges with water, fold the dough over the filling, creating a semi-circle, and crimp the edges with a fork. This process not only seals the pies but also adds a decorative touch.
Pro Tip: Don't overfill the pies to prevent leaks while frying.
Step 5: Fry the Pies
Heat up the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a medium-sized frying pan, ensuring there's enough oil to come up to a 1-inch depth. When the oil is hot, carefully place 1-2 pies at a time in the pan and fry until golden brown on each side, about 3 minutes. This step gives the pies their iconic crispy exterior. Be sure to monitor the oil temperature to keep the pies from absorbing too much oil and becoming greasy.
Pro Tip: Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature.
