Meat pie

flour ( not self raising) - about 500g
margarine (about 450g)
some salt (1 Tsp)
water ( cup) about 500ml
some milk(optional)
nutmeg(grated) (1 Tsp)
one egg ( optional)
suitable filling flour ( not self raising) - about 500g
suitable filling eg. minced meat, onions,green pepper,/tuna filling/ chicken filling etc. to your taste.

Put flour, salt,nutmeg and margarine into a mixing bowl. It is preferable that you use margarine straight from the fridge, the colder the better. Mix together with your hands by rubbing together until you have a mixture that looks like gari ( roughish and grainy). You can taste to see if the salt content is to your taste and add more if necessary.



Also note that the saltier the margarine or fat you use, the less salt you need.



Beat the egg and add to the milk and water, stir well, and pour into the flour mixture a little at a time whiles folding in gently, do not knead the mixture, rather take a portion and gently press together. do the same for the rest of the mixture. You will have a number of smaller portions. It should appear a bit crumbly but stick together. You may either have to add a little more water or you may not have to use all the 500ml. It depends.



You can pop this into the fridge for a few minutes and then using a rolling pin and a board, or a cold smooth kitchen surface that has been well cleaned, start rolling the individual portions gently, roll in one direction away form you. Too much handling will make the mixture or dough hard . You can roll each portion into a circle or whatever shape you desire. Trim the edges using a knife or appropriate cutter.



Put the filling in the middle, and then put some liquid, water or milk on the edges before lifting on side of the pastry and folding onto the other side. The liquid will encourage both sides to stick together.



Use a fork to press the edges together to prevent seperation whilst baking, you can also use your fingers to press the edges together,



When you have finished brush a little egg white or milk on the top of each pie to encourage browning. Place on a greased baking tray.



Bake in a hot oven at 180degrees or the equivalent gas mark till well browned, depending on the size of the pie it could be cooked within 20mins or up to 40 mins. Keep checking, do not over bake.



Cool in baking tin and serve with a cool drink or as desired. Enjoy.



P.S. I am not too sure about the measurements , since this recipe is top of my head. try it and vary it to your individual taste. Pastry is unique to the one making it. Enjoy :)

Serving Size: 1

Number of Servings: 1

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user LUVHEALTHYFOOD1.