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Ingredients:
For the filling:
– 1 pound ground beef or ground goat meat
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon grated ginger
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 2 tablespoons butter
For the pastry:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
– 1/4 cup ice-cold water
Instructions:
Filling:
1. Heat the butter in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Cook until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the ground meat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
4. Cook until the meat is browned, then add the salt, black pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper (if using).
5. Stir in the flour to thicken the filling.
6. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Pastry:
1. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2. Add the cold butter and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Gradually add the ice-cold water, stirring with a fork until the dough comes together in a ball.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Assembly and baking:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
3. Use a round cookie cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out circles of dough.
4. Place a tablespoon or two of the cooled filling in the center of each dough circle.
5. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-circle or triangle shape, and press the edges together to seal the pie.
6. Use a fork to crimp the edges and create a decorative border.
7. Brush the tops of the pies with a little milk or beaten egg for a glaze.
8. Place the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Tips and variations:
– Use a variety of spices, such as cumin or coriander, to give the filling a unique flavor.
– Add some chopped vegetables, such as carrots or peas, to the filling for extra nutrition.
– Use a different type of meat, such as chicken or beef, for a different flavor.
– Experiment with different types of pastry dough, such as puff pastry or shortcrust pastry, for a different texture.