Hello foodies of the world!

We have another tasty and filling recipe to share. In the spirit of Nigerian independence month we tried to make lots of Nigerian recipes we grew up with. Now I must say, meat pie has a special place in my heart, from kneading the dough to sealing the pie with a fork. Something about the whole process is so calming and create a sense of community. I say community because I mean this isn’t a one man’s job, it’s devious and time consuming. However, the reward is quality time with friends and family while making it and let us not forget the amazing fresh meat pie from the oven. 

So grab a friend or two and try this amazing recipe! But I must put a disclaimer that you may or can over indulge on these.

Recipe:

Finishing

• 1 Egg

Dough 

• 7 cups of Flour (we used whole wheat)
• 2 1/2 cup of Butter
• 3/4 cup of Sugar
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp of Nutmeg
• 1/2-1 cup of Water 
• 2 tbsp of Baking powder

Filling:

• 2 grams of Ground beef (or other kind of meat you prefer. You can use chicken but must cut it thinly)
• A little flour (to thicken the filling)
• 2 whole potatoes (in our case sweet potatoes, but Irish potatoes works too)
• 2 whole Onions
• Spices for taste (Maggie seasoning, salt, rosemary)

Process:

Filling:

• In a sauce pan, heat up olive oil then add the chopped onions and stir.
• Add the chopped carrots
• Add the ground beef
• Then add the potato cooked potatoes
• Add spices
• Add water
• Let simmer
• Add thickening agent, flour to the sauce. Let simmer 
• Turn it off and let it completely cool before handling 

Dough:

• Combine all the dry ingredients (flour baking powder, sugar nutmeg) in a large bowl and stir together.
• Add room temperature butter bits by bits to the flour combination. Rub in the rub to the flour to create a crumbly texture
• After the butter has been incorporated into the the flour add water to the combo, little at a time to ensure you do not put in to much.
• Now it time for the hard work.  Transfer the the formed dough from the bowl to a flat surface area (a clean kitchen counter or a large chopping board)
• Knead the dough thoroughly on this it smooths out and is evenly combined. If the entire dough is too much to knead you can knead it in smaller clumps.
• From the large dough, make little round dough balls and set them aside, this would make rolling it last er on easier  

Combining it:

• Roll out the small dough ball you made  with a rolling pin, it should generally have a circle like shape. The out can use a cookie cutter if preferred . 
• Once it is completely flatten out, add a spoon full of the cooled filling into the middle of the rolled out dough
• You should then grab one end of the dough and fold into a half moon.
• Once close,  with a fork pinch the edges by pressing the tips of the fork on the dough.
• Once that is complete, use the fork to make hole at the top of the folded meat pie. Poke the fork gently through the top of the pie .

Baking:

• Line the baking pan with parchment paper to avoid sticking, place meat pies on the pan.
• Crack and beat one egg  in a bowl, brush the out parts of the meat pie with the egg.
  Now, it is ready for the over
• Bake at 350 Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes 
• Take meat pie of of the oven and let it cool first, I know it is tempting to start munching but, best to wait.

I know the process seems long but it is worth it. I love baking with my family, it is a sweet kind of bonding. A family that bakes together, well… eats together. 

Happy family bonding,

Sandra