Curried Cornish Pasties Recipes

AUTHENTIC CORNISH PASTIES

Steps:

• To Make the Shortcrust Pastry: Place the flour and salt in a food processor and pulse a few times until combined. Add the cold butter and lard and pulse a few more times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water a little at a time, pulsing between additions, until the mixture begins to come together. DO NOT over-mix the dough or the pastry crust will be tough and won't be flaky. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before using (this is crucial). (Can be refrigerated for a few days or frozen for up to 3 months.)
• To Make the Cornish Pasties: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.Cut it into 6 equal pieces (rolling the dough into a log and then cutting makes this easier). Wrap and keep the other 5 pieces chilled in the fridge while you're working on one at a time. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a 8 inch circle that's about 1/8 inch thick. You can use an 8-inch plate as your guide and cut the dough around it to form your circle.
• Layer the filling (see note at end): Put layer of potatoes down the center of the pastry circle, leaving about 3/4 inch space on the top and bottom edges of the pastry dough. Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Next add a layer of rutabagas, onions and finally the beef, adding a light sprinkling of salt and pepper between each layer. Lay a couple pats of butter on top of the beef and sprinkle a little flour over the filling.
• Wet the tips of your fingers and lightly moisten the edges of the pastry dough. For this next part work gently so that the filling doesn't puncture through the dough. If this happens, patch up the hole with some of the scrap pieces of pastry dough. Bring the sides up and seal the pasty down the middle. Turn the pasty onto its side and crimp the edges in traditional Cornish fashion (see blog post pictures as a visual).
• Assemble the remaining pasties and lay them on a lined baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut a slit in the center of each pasty. Lightly brush each pasty with the beaten egg mixture.
• Bake the Cornish pasties on the middle rack for 40-50 minutes until golden in color. Remove from the oven and let them sit for about 10 minutes (they will be very hot inside) before eating. They can be reheated in the oven (recommended for a crispier crust) or microwave. NOTE: Depending on how full you stuff the pasties you may have leftover filling. No worries, just fry it up together or add it to soup and enjoy it as a separate meal.

CURRIED CORNISH PASTIES

Steps:

• Place all filling ingredients, save milk and tartar, in a skillet. Cook on high for 3 minutes, then reduced to medium low.
• Stir in milk and tartar. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes.
• To start pastry, mix all ingredients, save shortening and butter, in a mixing bowl. Mix well, then rub in shortening.
• When totally mixed, form 8-10 balls. Place in freezer while filling continues to cook.
• When ready, roll balls into circles, and on half the side, add filling. Moisten rim with liquid from pan, and seal with a fork. Repeat until all is done.
• Or you can do a standing fold which cups more liquid. See photo. I do it this way.
• Cut a couple of tiny slits in each pasty , and optionally but recommended, paint outside with milk. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
• Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and bake 20-30 minutes longer or until golden brown.

CURRIED POTATO PASTIES

Steps:

• Heat a large pan of water, add the potatoes, then cook for 8 mins until just soft. Add the peas 1 min before the end of cooking time. Drain, then set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry the onion until soft and slightly coloured. Add the curry paste and mustard seeds, then fry for a few mins more until the mixture smells fragrant. Carefully stir in the potatoes and peas, trying not to mash them. Add the lemon juice and coriander, then leave to cool.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Unroll the pastry rectangle, place on a floured surface with the long side towards you and roll it out a little more to make it into a square shape. Cut into 4 squares, then cut each one in half so you have 8 long rectangles. Place 4 of them onto a baking sheet, brush the edges with beaten egg and place a quarter of the filling down the centre of each. Top with the remaining pastry, then pinch the edges together to make a sealed parcel. Brush with more egg, then bake for 20 mins until puffed and golden. If cooking from frozen, bake for 30 mins. Serve with fresh green salad and a spoonful of chutney.

LIGHTER CORNISH PASTIES

Steps:

• To make the filling, mix everything together in a bowl with ¾ tsp black pepper and 1 tbsp cold water. Stir in a pinch of salt and set aside. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line 1-2 baking sheets or trays with baking parchment.
• To make the pastry, put the flour, baking powder and butter in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Tip in the oil, egg yolk and 5 tbsp cold water. Pulse again until the dough just starts to come together, adding another ½-1 tbsp water, or as needed. If you gently press the dough and it sticks together, you know it's the right consistency. Tip out the dough onto the work surface and gently press it into a smooth ball.
• Cut the pastry into 6 equal pieces. For each pasty, lightly and briefly shape one piece of the pastry to a smooth ball. (Keep the other pieces wrapped in cling film until needed.) Press the ball down to make an even flattened round. Then roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface, as thinly as you can, to a circle just over 20cm in diameter, keeping the round shape with your hands as you roll. As you're rolling the pastry thinner than usual, handle it carefully to prevent it breaking, and keep the work surface and rolling pin lightly dusted with flour to prevent the pastry sticking. Use the base of a 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin (or similar) as a guide to cut around to neaten the pastry edges (step 1). Spoon a sixth of the filling down the centre of the pastry circle and lightly press down with your hand to contain and flatten it slightly. Dampen the pastry edges with water (step 2) and carefully bring one side of the pastry over to join the other side (step 3), tucking in the filling to keep it inside as you do so. Press the joins together to seal, then make a thin decorative edge by rolling or curling the pastry edge over all the way around. Press down to seal. Repeat with the remaining pastry and filling. Sit each pasty on the baking sheet or tray, then pierce a small hole in the top of each one for the steam to escape. Beat the egg white to loosen, then brush a little over each pasty to glaze (step 4).
• Bake for 15 mins, then lower the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Brush with more egg white, and bake a further 35 mins until the pastry is crisp and golden, covering loosely with foil if they are browning too quickly. Remove with a wide spatula and leave to cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm or cold.

CORNISH PASTY

Steps:

• Rub the butter and lard into the flour with a pinch of salt using your fingertips or a food processor, then blend in 6 tbsp cold water to make a firm dough. Cut equally into 4, then chill for 20 mins.
• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Mix together the filling ingredients with 1 tsp salt. Roll out each piece of dough on a lightly floured surface until large enough to make a round about 23cm across - use a plate to trim it to shape. Firmly pack a quarter of the filling along the centre of each round, leaving a margin at each end. Brush the pastry all the way round the edge with beaten egg, carefully draw up both sides so that they meet at the top, then pinch them together to seal. Lift onto a non-stick baking tray and brush with the remaining egg to glaze.
• Bake for 10 mins, then lower oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and cook for 45 mins more until golden. Great served warm.

CORONATION CHICKEN PASTIES

Steps:

• For the pastry, tip the flour into a large bowl and stir in ½ tsp salt. Grate in the cold butter and lard. Gently combine with your hands. Swiftly mix in 250ml ice-cold water using a cutlery knife. Tip the dough onto a surface and knead for 1 min until smooth. Wrap and chill for at least 1 hr.
• To make the filling, heat the butter in a flameproof casserole or large frying pan over a medium-low heat and fry the onions for 10-12 mins until softened and starting to caramelise. Add the chicken and cook for 5 mins more. Stir in the korma paste, curry powder and flour, turn up the heat to medium and fry for another 2 mins. Stir in the stock gradually, in several additions, then simmer for 3 mins until the mixture has thickened. Stir in the cream and mango chutney. Leave to cool completely. Once the mixture is completely cool, cover and chill for at least 3 hrs or overnight.
• Line two baking sheets with baking parchment. Divide the chilled pastry into six pieces, weighing for accuracy, if you like. Form each piece into a ball, then roll each one out on a lightly floured surface to a 20cm circle. Working with one pastry circle at a time, spoon a sixth of the filling into the middle of the circle. Wet the edge around half the circle, then fold over to the dry edge and crimp using your fingers or a fork to seal. Repeat with the remaining filling and pastry circles, placing them on the baking sheets as you go. Chill for 1 hr.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Brush the pasties with the beaten egg and bake for 50 mins-1 hr, or until golden. Leave to cool for 10 mins, then eat hot, or cool completely to pack for a picnic. Will keep chilled in an airtight container for up to two days.