Pasty Pie Northern Michigan Meat Pie Food

UPPER PENINSULA PASTIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir shortening and water until shortening is melted. Gradually stir in flour and salt until a very soft dough is formed; cover and refrigerate for 1-1/2 hours. , Cut potatoes and rutabagas into 1/8- or 1/4-inch cubes; do not make cubes too large or they will not cook properly. Gently combine ground beef and pork; break into small crumbles. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, rutabagas, onions, meat mixture and seasonings. , Divide dough into 12 equal portions. On a floured surface, roll out 1 portion at a time into a 8-in. circle. Mound 1-1/2 to 2 cups filling on half of each circle; dot with 1 teaspoon butter. Moisten edges with water; carefully fold dough over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. , Place on ungreased baking sheets. Cut several slits in top of pasties. If desired, brush with cream or beaten egg. Bake at 350° until golden brown, about 1 hour. Cool on wire racks. Serve hot or cold. Store in the refrigerator.

QUICK PASTY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Place crust in an 8-inch pie pan and press into bottom of pan.
• In a large bowl, thoroughly combine hash browns, ground beef, shredded onion, garlic, salt and pepper, and carrots (if using).
• Place filling into the pie pan and top with second pie crust.
• Seal edges of crusts together and cut vents into the top crust.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes or until meat is cooked through (I use a meat thermometer).
• Serve topped with beef gravy or ketchup, if desired.
• ***TIP - to prevent the edges of the pie crust from browning to quickly, wrap aluminum foil around the edges of the pie before baking, then remove with 20 minutes left.

FAMILY FAVORITE PASTIES (MEAT PIES)

Steps:

• 1. Crust: Cut shortening into flour and salt. Add water just until you have a dough that is no longer sticky (like pie crust). Mix until well blended. Form into 4 balls. (You can chill dough at this point, but I usually don't.) Roll into four 8" circles. Cover with waxed paper until ready to use.
• 2. Meat Filling: Combine beef, onion, rutabaga, potatoes, salt, pepper and parsley in a large bowl.
• 3. Put approximately 1 cup of filling onto right side of dough, dot with butter and fold in half. Brush edges with milk, then crimp edges securely to hold filling while it bakes.
• 4. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and cut two or three 1/2" slices in the top to allow steam to escape. Brush with milk, if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour or until golden. They will smell AMAZING while baking!
• 5. Traditionally served with ketchup, although I've also seen them served with gravy... which is another whole, big heated debate!

TRADITIONAL MEAT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Pie Crust: Mix flour and shortening. Add salt and cold water. Add all the cold water at once and mix delicately. Form a ball and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Once dough is chilled, flour your worktop. Divide dough in half. Roll out 2 pie crusts. One should be slightly larger than the other, this will be your bottom crust.
• Meat Filling: Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the pork and onion and cook over medium-low heat for 45 minutes, stirring often. When pork is cooked remove fat from pan. Add grated potato, salt, pepper, and allspice, to taste. Stir well, and let mixture rest for 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter the bottom of 9-inch pie plate. Place the bottom crust in the pie plate and poke several holes in the crust with a fork. Make sure an ample amount of crust spills over the edges of the pie plate. Fill the crust with the meat mixture. Level with a spatula. Wet edges of bottom crust and place top crust over meat mixture. Press top crust onto meat mixture to eliminate any air holes. Beat together the egg and the milk to make an egg wash. Pinch the crust edges together and brush the top crust with the egg wash.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and continue baking for 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
• Slice and serve hot or cold.

PASTY PIE (NORTHERN MICHIGAN MEAT PIE)

Steps:

• Brown ground sirloin and onion.
• Dice potato and rutabaga and add to meat mixture.
• Season.
• Put meat mixture inside pie shell and seal.
• Put fork marks in shell for ventilation.
• Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until crust in golden brown.
• I like to spray the pan with non stick spray.

PASTY PIE

Steps:

• Mix onions with meat. Add carrots and diced to potatoes. Salt and pepper and mix in a large bowl.
• Prepare bottom crust (pie dough) in a deep dish pie pan. Pour meat and potato mixture into shell.
• Place 4 pats of butter on top and cover with top crust. DO NOT cut holes in top of crust. Seal crusts well.
• Bake in 375 degree oven on middle rack for 1 hour. Watch that crusts do not burn. Serve with gravy or ketchup.