Natchitoches Meat Pies

Ingredients

• •1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• •1 pound ground beef
• •1 pound ground pork
• •1 bunch green onions
• •1 small bell pepper
• •1 large garlic clove
• •¼ teaspoon pepper flakes
• •salt and pepper
• •4 cups flour
• •2 teaspoons salt
• •1 teaspoon baking powder
• •½ cup shortening
• •2 eggs
• •1 cup milk

We may earn a commission on Instacart orders, at no extra cost to you.

Method

From foodista.com — read the original

1. 1Pour vegetable oil in a large frying pan set over medium high heat; brown meat in oil.
2. 2Add the onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring frequently until vegetables are soft, approximately 5 minutes; add garlic and saut for 1 minute longer.
3. 3Add red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside until ready to use.
4. 4Sift flour, salt and baking powder together into a large bowl or in the bowl of a food processor (this makes quick work of this step); process or cut in shortening by hand until it looks like cornmeal.
5. 5Stir the eggs and milk together before slowly stirring into the flour mixture; mix well to form a soft dough.
6. 6Divide the dough into 16 equal portions. Dust a clean dry surface with flour.
7. 7Roll each dough portion into a ball.
8. 8Place each ball on the floured surface one at a time before rolling it into circle about 6 8 in diameter. Spoon approximately 2 heaping tablespoons of the meat mixture onto one side of the circle, leaving a 1 clean edge all around.
9. 9Brush edges with a little warm water. Fold the circle over the meat mixture matching the edges, forming a semi-circle. Fold the edges in half up towards the meat leaving a 1/2" edge. Press the edge with the tines of a fork to crimp. Repeat with the remaining meat and dough.
10. 10Heat deep fryer oil or pour enough oil into a medium size frying pan to come up to a 1 depth in the pan; heat over medium high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering place 1 2 pies in the pan and fry to a golden brown on each, approximately 3 minutes or so.
11. 11Remove from the heat and drain on paper towels.
12. 12Serve hot or at room temperature.