Meat Pie on Sticks

Closet audit, keep or fling
Its that time of year when I take a look at my closet and  make hard decisions to keep or to fling items. Last two weekends I filled three big bags with clothes and shoes and handed them over to a young friend to whom I have always given such personal things to. I makes me feel soooo good. It was like some spiritual cleansing, to allow for more good things to come into my life. It feels amazing to give. 
With handbags, I must say I have a more challenging time giving those out. What I do though is give to my sister to carry for  some time, if I do not long for it after about three months then I know I am fine , I then ask her to give out. Its funny how we all get attached to one thing or the other and tend to keep them even if we are not wearing or using them much or at all. Well I know for sure that in life the more you give the more you receive. What are you giving out, your knowledge, money,time,material possession, food? Whatever it is , just Give.
Today I bring you something in the snack area. Snacking is part of adding  rich varieties in our lives.Even if you are dieting we need something in between meals, like fruits or nuts. Today I share with you my version of the popular Nigerian Meat Pie. I am sharing with you a cocktail size of my version. I purposely skipped the usual potato in Nigerian meat pies to cut back on the carbs. Snack responsibly . 🙂

Recipe for Short Crust Pastry

Ingredients

1 cup All purpose Flour

3 tablespoon Butter

Pinch of Salt

21/2 table spoons Iced Water

1 Egg for brushing on pie before baking

Method

1, Add salt to the flour. Using the tip of your fingers, rub the butter into the flour in a light motion. Whilst doing this lift the flour up. The final product should look like garri( fried cassava grains)

2, Add the water, sprinkling over that flour . Using a fork mix the flour well into the water for just a few seconds

3, Gather the mixture gently and lightly together in a ball without kneading. It’s important not to add any pressure to the dough. 

4, Wrap in cling film and leave in the fridge to rest for 10 minutes and use as desired

Recipe for Minced Beef Filling

1/2 cup Minced beef

1 clove Garlic( chopped)

1/4 finely chopped Onion

1/2 teaspoon dry pepper

Pinch thyme or rosemary 

1/2 Seasoning cubes

1 cooking spoon vegetable Oil

1 table spoon Corn Flour

1 Carrot( cubed)

2 pieces Indian Green pepper ( optional)

Salt to taste

Method

1, Heat the oil,fry the  onion and garlic. Add the dry pepper and seasoning .

2, Add the meat and thyme and fry for about 2 minutes, cover and allow to cook under low heat for 5 minutes

3, Add the green pepper and carrot.

4, Dissolve the corn flour in 2 tablespoons water and add to the sauce and stir. Cook for about 2 minutes to allow the corn flour to cook and provide a sauce for the mince.

Method for Meat Beef Pie Pops

1, Pre heat oven at 400 degrees 10 minutes before baking time

2, Roll out pastry thinly but not too thin.

3, Cut pastry into circles, place cocktail wooden picks on pastry, scoop some mince like a teaspoon onto a circle , pick one other circle , cover the one with the mince, dip a fork in water and press the edge of the circle all round. Make sure the fork is wet each time you press on the edge. The water is to help close the pie properly

4, Brush each pie with beaten egg

5 Bake for 30 minutes or until pie browns on top.

6, Serve Hot or warm.

Cooking tip: Soak cocktail wooden picks in hot water for one hour before use to prevent burning.