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Hand Meat Pies (Tortilla Press Method)

A tortilla Press is not solely used for or limited to making tortillas. It is way more useful than it appears. Be it naan, pita, a thin pizza crust ,hand pie shells,a tart crust, the options are endless. Not only does it significantly reduce the time it takes to roll out perfectly even pie shells; it produces round individual size pastries, with uniform thickness. Hence, making them easier to cook.
Course Snack
Cuisine African
Keyword baked pies, hand pies, tortilla press
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 25 meat pies

Ingredients

Hand Pie Filling

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 tsp garlic paste
  • 1 large tomato
  • 250 grams minced meat
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp bouillon powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 125 grams peas
  • ½ yellow bell pepper
  • ½ green bell pepper
  • 1 tbsp cornflour

Pie Shell

  • 500 grams flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 250 grams ice cold butter
  • 5 tbsp water
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a pan on medium high heat. Add shallot, garlic paste and tomatoes.Cook for about 3 minutes. The tomato should blister a little on the skin. Add minced meat and mix to incorporate.Add the curry powder, paprika,black pepper, salt, beef bouillon powder and water. Cover with a lid to let the water reduce.
  • Take the lid off. Add peas, bell peppers, cornflour. Mix everything together, take off heat and set aside to cool.
  • Cut cold butter into 3 inch cubes. In a food processor, add salt and baking powder to flour. Pulse to incorporate. Add the butter, and pulse until butter is broken down into large peas.
  • While running the food processor, slowly add ice cold water in tablespoons until all the water is added and mixture begins to come together. What you will end up with is a very crumbly mixture. Do not be tempted to add more water.
  • Take crumbly dough out of the food processor and pour on your work surface. Use your hands to bring the dough together, without kneading. Wrap in a cling film and chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes or up to 1 month.

Making the pies

  • Open tortilla press. Place parchment paper on bottom plate . Add a piece of dough on parchment paper and another parchment paper on the dough. Close the press and use lever to press the lid flat.
    Take the flattened dough out of tortilla press, place 1 tbsp of filling in the center, fold over dough to form half moon shape.Press edges and crimp.
    Place pies on parchment lined baking sheet, brush the top with egg wash and bake at 180°c for 20 minutes.