Trinidad Beef Pie (Pastry)

I love beef pies, especially its crusty dough. It is popular here in Trinidad and Tobago, from weddings to beach limes. But one pie never seems to be enough. Just like the puffs, I feel I could easily eat about a dozen in one go. It just seems to raise my appetite everytime. My wife had been searching for some time now for a good beef pie recipe for me to post. One that will certainly have that crusty and almost seem to melt in your mouth texture and at the same time be simple enough for even a beginner to make. She says this one is it.

The day she made it we had company. Good company! My family was visiting and we played some beautiful parang music. That was my first parang lime for the Christmas season which I thoroughly enjoyed even though the electricity went and it was raining heavily. We played for about two hours by candlelight playing all the songs we knew. It was really a blast. Anyhow back to the recipe.

This recipe could easily substituted with any kind of filling you may desire. You could use chicken, fish, soya or cheese. I will certainly be making some more for my Christmas dinner; probably chicken though, with a nice glass of sorrel at the side...I can taste it already. Enjoy another trini favourite, if not my favourite, beef pie.

BEEF PIE

Filling:
1 pack (about 1 lb.) minced beef
2 leaves big thyme
5 sprigs chive
2 pimento pepper
1 tsp. paprika
2 cloves garlic
1/2 medium onion

Pie crust:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cold water

Directions for the filling:

Place the beef in a small pot or frying pan.

Add the thyme, chive, pimento pepper, salt, paprika, garlic and onion to the beef.

Cook over a medium flame. There is no need to add oil.

The minced beef has its own fat.

Set aside when done.

Directions for the pie crust:

Add the butter and shortening to the flour.

Cut the butter and shortening into the flour.

A coarse meal will be formed like this. Then add the cold water.

Roll into a coarse ball. Don't knead. To roll the ball you can dust with a little flour.

Cut into smaller balls, to your preferred size. This recipe could make about 27 medium sized beef pies. To make the small balls, roll small amounts of pastry dough in the palm of your hands. Again, don't knead.

Flatten each ball and place some beef in the middle, about 1 tbsp. of beef.

Roll in half and seal the edges. You can use a fork to mark the edges. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes at 330 degrees F. or until golden brown.

Allow to cool and serve

That's all for now. See you soon....Ah gone.

Print this recipe

You might also like:

.