I'm reading Bittersweet by Susan Wittig Albert. I'm enjoying it and it's a quick read for me.
QOTW: Pie would be my choice, but I'm serving pie for the meal in the form of Cornish Pasties. Pie at dessert would be too much pie I think. I've narrowed it down to a blackout cake (chocolate cake with a pudding-type filling and frosting) or lemon cookies made with mashed potato flakes.
I'd love to know your recipe! My grandmother used to make pasties (her parents were from Cornwall) and I don't think she ever wrote that recipe down.
I'm reading Bittersweet by Susan Wittig Albert. I'm enjoying it and it's a quick read for me.
QOTW: Pie would be my choice, but I'm serving pie for the meal in the form of Cornish Pasties. Pie at dessert would be too much pie I think. I've narrowed it down to a blackout cake (chocolate cake with a pudding-type filling and frosting) or lemon cookies made with mashed potato flakes.
I'd love to know your recipe! My grandmother used to make pasties (her parents were from Cornwall) and I don't think she ever wrote that recipe down.
It's not traditional, but my FIL, who worked in a coal mine in Southeast Victoria, said they were the best pasties he's had, and certainly better than any lunch he ever got "down pit." I know Cornish Pasties are one of those Geographically Protected Foods, and traditional ones from Cornwall use turnips or rutabagas, but I use carrots. The culinary historian in me thinks that as a peasant food, the original bakers used whatever root vegetables were available, so the filling changed depending on what was on hand. Also, I use a standard pie crust recipe, so my crust is definitely not authentic.
That disclaimer made, this is the recipe I used: Pastry: 2/3 cup butter, softened 2 cups plain flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 5 - 7 tablespoons cold water 1 egg (for egg wash)
Put butter in large bowl Sift flour and salt over butter Using 2 forks or a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles soft sand Add the water 1 tablespoon at a time, until a soft dough forms and follows the fork around the bowl. Remove from bowl and one a lightly floured surface, knead lightly until smooth Divide dough into four pieces. Form each piece into a ball and flatten slightly. Wrap each ball in clingfilm and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight
Filling: 2 - 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces 2 - 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces 1/2 medium onion, finely diced 3/4 - 1 pound round steak, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes 1 tablespoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons beef stock powder Pepper to taste (I omitted the pepper as my FIL can’t have it) 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
Place carrots & onions in medium saucepan and cover with water Bring to boiling and cook for 7 - 10 minutes, or until potatoes are just tender Drain and turn into large bowl Add remaining ingredients to carrots & potatoes and toss to combine
Assembly: Roll each disk of pasty dough to a 10-inch circle Place heaped 2/3 cup filling just off center of dough circle Moisten dough close to filling with water Fold over dough circle and crimp dough close to filling on the open sides (you'll end with a D-shaped pastie) Trim dough to 1 inch around filling Moisten edge and fold dough over on itself, sealing the pasty Crimp tightly with fork Move to baking sheet lined with paper Repeat steps for remaining 3 pasties Beat egg with a little bit of water to create an egg wash Brush pasties with egg wash Cut 2 slits in each pastie Bake at 375F for 50-60 minutes Cool slightly Serve warm
If there is any leftover filling, place in oven-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, cut a 2-3 slits in the foil, and bake with the pasties.
It's weird. The first few chapters had such potential but I feel like nothing has happened since. And I'm halfway through the book. I'm glad it's not just me! I thought maybe with my first week back at work in 6 years and DD's first few weeks of Kindergarten that I was just too tired to care at night, lol.
That's how I felt too. Started off great but then was pretty dull. The ending was really good though!
I finished last night and the last half was really good if a bit predictable. It was just the first 45% that was hard to get through. I'm glad I pushed through and finished!
Post by Wallflower on Sept 5, 2016 11:44:02 GMT -5
dorothyinAus - Thank you! I'm looking forward to giving this a try. I'm sure it'll bring back good memories.
As with your FIL, my great grandfather and great uncles had these for lunch in the coal mines, but these were in PA. It's something important to remember such things, I think.