Originating in Central Louisiana, Natchitoches Meat Pies are traditional savory hand pies. Learn how to make this meat pie recipe with a flavorful beef filling and a flaky pastry crust that are perfect for sharing at any type of gathering.
1 ½cupwatercould need more or less, depending on the weather conditions
Instructions
Make the Meat Pie Filling
Using a sharp knife, chop the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic finely. (You want it to be as chopped as possible because you don’t want giant chunks of veggies in the meat pies.)
In a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil.
When the skillet is hot, add the veggies, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are translucent.
When the veggies are translucent, add the Panorama ground beef. Season with the salt, Creole seasoning, black pepper and cayenne pepper.
Break up the meat using the back of a wooden spoon, and move around the skillet as it cooks.
When the beef has browned, sprinkle in the flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes. (We want this to be mixed with the beef mixture so that it can thicken the stock, which is poured in next.)
Pour in the beef stock, and stir to mix with the ingredients. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the meat mixture.
Remove from the heat, and transfer to a food-safe storage container. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or until cold.
Make the Pie Crust
With a cheese grater, grate the frozen butter. Once everything has been grated, transfer the butter back to the freezer to stay cool.
Sift the flours and salt in a large glass bowl.
Pour water into a glass with ice cubes.
Remove the butter from the freezer.
Using a dough blender or a fork, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the fats appear to be the size of peas and the texture of wet sand.
Add ¼ cup of water on top of the flour-butter mixture at a time. Use a plastic spatula to lightly fold the flour over the liquid. Do not stir.
Add ¼ cup of water at a time until the dough begins coming together, then add water 1 tablespoon at a time so that you don’t make it too wet.
When it’s ready, the dough should just hold together when pressed, and you should be able to see flecks of butter in the crust.
Form the dough into a round and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.
Make The Meat Pies
On a flat, floured surface, roll out the dough using a rolling pin until ¼” thick.
Using a large biscuit cutter or a small dessert plate to cut the dough into 5-6” rounds. (You can go smaller, but I like a bigger hand pie for this. It’s also easier to work with when the rounds are larger.)
Measure 2 heaping tablespoons of the filling into the center of the dough.
Fold the dough rounds in half, pressing the edges using your fingers and crimp or seal with a fork’s tines. (You want to make sure they’re truly sealed, or they’ll burst in the oven.)
Repeat the process until all the hand pies have been made.
Using the fork or a knife, poke a few holes into the top of the hand pies.
FREEZE or refrigerate 1-2 hours so the dough can firm up again. (If freezing for days on end, the bake time will be longer. You can also let the meat pies unfreeze in the refrigerator 1-2 hours before baking.)
Bake the Meat Pies
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, and set aside.
Crack an egg into a bowl. Use a fork to break the yolk.
Place the chilled (frozen or refrigerated) meat pies on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the egg wash.
Once the oven is preheated, bake the meat pies for 30-35 minutes if refrigerated. Bake them for 45-55 minutes if frozen. (Keep in mind that the bake time will vary depending on the size and how chilled your hand pies are, so keep an eye on yours!)
Once golden brown, remove from the oven, and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
*If using regular Creole seasoning, do NOT add additional salt to anything. Creole seasoning is generally pretty salty, which is why we like to purchase the salt-free kind.Cooking times will vary! IF FROZEN, the meat pies will take around 45-55 minutes. If refrigerated, they'll bake around 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as every oven is different!Erin's Easy Entertaining Tips and Tricks
Make the filling and pie crust up to 4 days before. You want both of these to be chilled when you’re forming and filling the pies, so making them well in advance and keeping ‘em cool in the fridge is clutch.
Go light on the seasoning at first. We like our food well spiced, but everyone’s tastebuds are different. Add half of the Creole seasoning at first, and once the meat is cooked, taste it to see how it tastes. If it’s good, then leave it as is. If you want more flavor, add in the rest of the seasoning.
Make the pies in advance, and freeze them. This is my favorite party trick because it makes entertaining a breeze! When the pies are ready in the freezer, all you have to do is bake them!
Store in a covered food storage container for 1-2 days in the fridge after baking.
To reheat, toast in the toaster oven. Because heating them in the microwave will make the pastry tough and soggy.