Australian Meat Pies are a beloved comfort food in Australia! They are typically filled with minced beef or lamb, gravy, and seasonings, all encased in a golden, flaky pastry. Here’s a recipe to make these tasty pies at home:
Australian Meat Pies
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 500g (1 lb) minced beef (or lamb)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup beef stock
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce (ketchup)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon plain flour (all-purpose)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pastry:
- 2 sheets of puff pastry (or shortcrust pastry if you prefer a sturdier base)
- 1 egg (beaten, for glazing)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Filling:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the minced beef to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir to coat evenly. Cook for another minute to allow the flour to combine and absorb the moisture.
- Pour in the beef stock, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and dried thyme. Stir to combine.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens and becomes a rich, gravy-like consistency. Add the frozen peas (if using) in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
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Prepare the Pastry:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
- Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a floured surface. Use a round cutter (about 4-5 inches in diameter) to cut circles that will fit into your pie tin or muffin tin.
- Grease a pie or muffin tray with butter or cooking spray. Press the pastry circles into the tray to form the base and sides of the pies.
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Assemble the Pies:
- Spoon the cooled filling into the pastry bases, leaving a small gap at the top.
- Use the remaining pastry to cut out smaller circles that will fit on top of the pies. Place these on top of the filling and pinch the edges together to seal the pies.
- Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
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Bake the Pies:
- Place the pies in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the pastry is golden and puffed up.
- If you’re using a muffin tin, keep an eye on them as they might cook a bit faster.
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Serve:
- Let the pies cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them with a side of mashed potatoes, a simple salad, or a little tomato sauce (ketchup) on the side for dipping.