Certainly! Cornish Beef Pasties are traditional savory baked pastries filled with beef and vegetables, originating from Cornwall, England. Here’s a basic recipe to help you prepare them:
Ingredients:
For the pastry:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
- 7-8 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
- 1 lb (450g) beef steak, diced (traditionally skirt steak or chuck steak)
- 1 large potato, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup rutabaga (swede), peeled and diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Optional: Chopped fresh thyme or rosemary
Instructions:
For the pastry:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold diced butter.
- Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough just comes together. Don’t overwork the dough; it should be slightly crumbly.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal portions, shape them into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For the filling:
- In a bowl, combine the diced beef, chopped onion, diced potato, and rutabaga. If using, add Worcestershire sauce, herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
To assemble:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry disc into a circle, about 8-10 inches in diameter.
- Place a generous amount of the beef and vegetable filling on one half of each pastry circle, leaving a border around the edge.
- Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together.
- Crimp the edges by folding and pinching the pastry to seal the pasty. You can create a traditional rope-like crimp by folding and pressing sections of the edge together.
- Optional: Cut a small slit in the top of each pasty to allow steam to escape during baking.
To bake:
- Place the prepared pasties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until the pasties are golden brown and the filling is cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes:
- You can customize the filling by adding other vegetables like carrots, peas, or corn.
- Make sure to let the pasties cool a bit before serving, as the filling will be very hot.
- These pasties can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Enjoy your homemade Cornish Beef Pasties!
