Spicy Picnic Pasties Recipes

ENGLISH STILTON AND TWICE BAKED POTATO PICNIC PIES - PASTIES

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
• Grease and line a sturdy oven proof biscuit (cookie) sheet.
• Cut out 8 pastry circles - about 3" to 4" in diameter - a cup is a great template!
• Place the sliced potatoes on 4 of the pastry circles - leaving a 1/2" border.
• Season well with black pepper, and salt if you wish - remembering that Stilton is quite salty itself.
• Place a slice of Stilton cheese on top of the potatoes.
• Place the remaining 4 circles of pastry over the top - bringing up the bottom pastry circle and pinching them together to make a crust - the bottom pastry circle should sit over the top of the top pastry circle as a seal.
• Press the crust with the back of a fork to make a pattern and seal the pastry circles together.
• Cut two 1" slits in the top of each pie - to let the steam escape.
• Glaze the tops with the beaten egg and milk mixture.
• Place onto the lined and greased oven tray and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.
• Allow to cool slightly before eating, as the cheese will be very hot!

PICNIC PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
• Mix tomato sauce, Italian dressing, basil, and oregano together in a large bowl. Add pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and red onion; toss. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 2 hours.

UPPER PENINSULA PASTIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir shortening and water until shortening is melted. Gradually stir in flour and salt until a very soft dough is formed; cover and refrigerate for 1-1/2 hours. , Cut potatoes and rutabagas into 1/8- or 1/4-inch cubes; do not make cubes too large or they will not cook properly. Gently combine ground beef and pork; break into small crumbles. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, rutabagas, onions, meat mixture and seasonings. , Divide dough into 12 equal portions. On a floured surface, roll out 1 portion at a time into a 8-in. circle. Mound 1-1/2 to 2 cups filling on half of each circle; dot with 1 teaspoon butter. Moisten edges with water; carefully fold dough over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. , Place on ungreased baking sheets. Cut several slits in top of pasties. If desired, brush with cream or beaten egg. Bake at 350° until golden brown, about 1 hour. Cool on wire racks. Serve hot or cold. Store in the refrigerator.

SPICY CHICKEN & BACON PASTIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/ gas 7. Fry the bacon in a non-stick pan over a medium heat for a few mins, until it starts to release its fat. Add the potato, turn up the heat and fry for 5 mins, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and the potato just underdone. Add the chilli and cook for a further min. Season generously with black pepper, plus salt to taste.
• Tip into a bowl and mix with the shredded chicken and spring onions. Unroll the pastry and, with a rolling pin, roll out until it's large enough to cut out 4 circles of pastry, using a large saucer or a side plate as a guide, discarding the trimmings. Lift onto a baking sheet.
• Spoon the filling into the middle of each circle. Brush the edges of the pastry with a little milk, then bring them up to the middle, pinching at the top to make a pasty. Brush with a little milk, then bake for 15 mins or until golden.

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.