Recipes from around the world

Australian Meat Pie

Ingredients:

• 500g / 1lb chuck or blade steak
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 x 375g / 12 oz packet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• Beaten egg to glaze

Cooking Directions

1. Trim gristle and fat from steak, cut into thin shreds, then chop very finely. Dust with flour, salt and pepper and place in the top of a double boiler or pudding pan.
2. Place enough boiling water to come halfway up sides of bowl, simmer for 2 hours or until the meat is very tender. Replace water in saucepan as necessary to maintain level.
3. Allow to cool completely.
4. Roll out pastry dough thin and cut 3/4 of it to fit individual round, oblong or square pie tins. Line tins with dough, and fill about 3/4 full with meat filling. Cut lids from remaining dough, dampen edges and put into place .
5. Cut a vent in the top of each pie for steam to escape.
6. Chill for 15 minutes, then brush with beaten egg.
7. Bake in a preheated hot oven (200 C / 400 F) for 25 minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden.
8. Serve with tomato sauce (ketchup).