Traditional Fried Pie Pastry Food

FRIED PIES

Steps:

• To make the pastry, mix together the flour, granulated sugar and salt. Cut in 1 cup of the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 1 of the eggs and the buttermilk and stir until it just comes together. Add a little more buttermilk if needed. Form it into a ball and refrigerate for at least an hour.
• To make the pies, roll the pastry out into a large square. Trim the edges to make a rectangle. Cut into 8 to 10 long rectangles, using a butter knife.
• Spoon a tablespoon or so of filling into the top half of one of the rectangles.
• Use the remaining beaten eggs to seal the edges by folding the bottom half of the rectangle over the top. Then crimp the edges shut with a fork. Repeat with the other pies, filling half with apple pie filling and half with cherry pie filling.
• Heat shortening in a medium, deep saucepan over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F. Fry the pies until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove and immediately drain on paper towels.
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

FRIED PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Combine egg and water, and sprinkle lightly over flour mixture. Add vinegar, and lightly stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball.
• Wrap dough in wax paper. Chill for at least one hour. Use as directed in any fried pie recipe.

TRADITIONAL FRIED ROSETTES PASTRY

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place 3 inches of canola oil in a deep fryer or deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan, and heat to 375 F, using a candy/frying thermometer clipped to the pot. Attach the desired rosette shapes to your handle (some handles can accommodate 2 rosette shapes).
• While oil is heating, prepare the batter. In a medium bowl, add sugar to eggs and whisk to combine.
• Add milk and whisk to combine.
• Measure the flour correctly and whisk together with the salt.
• Transfer to the bowl with eggs and milk and beat until smooth. Add the vanilla and mix again. (The consistency should be that of heavy cream. If it is too thick, add a little milk. If the batter is too thick, the rosettes will not be crisp.)
• When ready to fry, immerse the rosette iron with attached shape(s) into the hot oil until thoroughly heated (1 minute or so). Lift iron out, shaking off excess fat and blotting onto a paper towel. Dip into prepared batter only to the depth of the form, not over the top as the excess batter will have to be scraped off after frying in order to take the rosette off the form.
• Dip forms into the hot oil. When foamy bubbling stops and/or rosettes are a golden brown, lift iron out of oil, allowing excess oil to drain off back into the fryer or saucepan.
• Remove the rosettes using a skewer to push them off or tap the back side of the rosette forms with a wooden spoon. Drain rosettes open side down on paper towels so excess oil will run out.
• Dip the rosette iron into the hot fat, blot lightly on paper towels and then dip into the batter. Continue in this manner until all the batter is used up. Dust the rosettes with confectioners sugar while still warm or when cool, or just before serving.
• Serve and enjoy.

FRITOS® PIE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Mix onion and green bell pepper into ground beef.
• Mix tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, ranch-style beans, stewed tomatoes, and chili powder into beef mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until flavors have blended, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Layer corn chips and hamburger mixture into serving bowls and top with Cheddar cheese.

NEVER, NEVER FAIL PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in lard until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together water, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Stir into flour mixture and knead dough briefly, just until smooth. Allow to rest 15 minutes before rolling out. Pastry is easier to work with when chilled. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

TRADITIONAL FRIED PIE PASTRY

Steps:

• Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Cut in shortening (suggested to cut in half then add in the other half because it makes the pastry both tender and flaky)until it resembles coarse meal.
• Mix water and vinegar together,set aside.
• Add in water mixture, stirring with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened.
• Add a little more water if dough seems too dry; shape dough into a ball and chill at least 1 hour, until ready to use.
• Preferred filling Our Family's Fried Pies.
• Roll out a ball of pastry about the size of a golf ball.
• Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of fruit filling on 1/2 of pastry circle leaving about a half inch edge.
• Fold over and seal with a fork.
• ***Pies may be frozen at this point.
• Fry frozen or thawed pies in a skillet of hot oil(preferred Crisco at 375 degrees in cast iron skillet) until golden brown.
• Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
• Can be eaten as is (preferred)or sprinkle with powdered sugar, lightly.
• Enjoy! ;).

OUR FAMILY FRIED PIES

Steps:

• Wash and dice dried apricots, then place in a sauce pan and cover with water (about 1 inch above fruit).
• Cook slowly until tender.
• Do NOT pour off water.
• Add spices to taste and lemon juice.
• Thicken with a corn starch slurry.
• **Be careful of scorching after cornstarch is added.
• Roll out a ball of pastry about the size of a golf ball.
• Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of fruit filling on 1/2 of pastry circle leaving about a half inch edge.
• Fold over and seal with a fork.
• ***Pies may be frozen at this point.
• Fry frozen or thawed pies in a skillet of hot oil(preferred Crisco at 375 degrees in cast iron skillet) until golden brown.
• Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
• Can be eaten as is (preferred)or sprinkle with powdered sugar, lightly.
• Enjoy! ;).

FRIED PIES

Steps:

• Cut butter into flour with pastry blender.
• Combine milk and egg yolk. Pour over flour mixture, stirring to mix well.
• Roll out small portions on floured surface.
• Place pie filling in center.
• Fold over and seal edges.
• Fry in deep fat until golden.
• Put sugars or coating in brown paper bag and shake (after frying) to coat.
• Enjoy.

FRIED APPLE PIES

Steps:

• Make pastry: Sift flour and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in shortening with 2 knives or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until flour mixture is moistened. Do not add more water than you need: when you squeeze a handful of moistened pastry mixture, it should form a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Make filling: Place apples in a saucepan. Combine sugar and cinnamon; pour over apples and toss to coat. Cook, covered, in a saucepan on low heat until soft; mash with a fork to make thick applesauce. Set aside to cool.
• Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thick; cut out eight 4-inch rounds with a large cookie cutter.
• Place 1 heaping tablespoon of applesauce in the center of each pastry round. Moisten edges with cold water, fold in half, and press the edge with a fork to seal. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Lower pies carefully into the hot oil in batches. Fry until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining pies.

MAMA'S FRIED PIES

Steps:

• Cook fruit in water until tender. Drain and mix with sugar and margarine. Mash well. Refrigerate overnight if possible. Roll out homemade piecrust dough and cut into saucer-sized circles.
• Spoon fruit onto circles and fold over into crescent shapes, then close the edges completely with a fork. Fry until golden brown. Place fried pies on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
• Variations: For baked pies, place crescents on a lightly-greased baking sheet in a 400 degree oven until golden brown.
• For apple pies, use dried apples and add apple pie spice (or nutmeg and cinnamon) and vanilla to taste.
• For prune pies, use dry, pitted prunes and add vanilla to taste.
• Place the flour and a dash of salt in a mixing bowl. Add the shortening and cut it in with a pastry blender or use your hands, as I do. Add the water, a teaspoon at a time, kneading until the dough is smooth.