Nigerian Meat Pie

Ingredients

• 750 g of minced beef
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 2 Knorr chicken stock cubes
• A pinch of thyme
• 3.5 potatoes (diced)
• 5 carrots (diced)
• 3 tbsp of flour
• 1-2 cups of water
• 1.5 kg of flour
• 3 tsp of baking powder
• 1.5 tsp of salt
• 750 g of margarine
• 375-450 ml /2-3 cups of cold water
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• A splash of vegetable/sunflower oil

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat a splash of oil in a large pan. Then add onions and cook for a few minutes. Add minced beef, salt to taste, pepper to taste, a pinch of thyme, stir and cook for 3-5 minutes. Add knorr cubes, potatoes, carrots and 1-2 cups of flour mix and stir. Leave to cook for 5-7 minutes or until done. Set aside and leave to cool. Flour mix includes: 1-2 cups of water mixed with 2-3 tbsp of flour.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, add flour, baking powder, 1-2 tsp of salt and small chunks of cold margarine into a large mixing bowl. Combine flour mix and butter together by rubbing both together using your fingertips. Alternatively, you can add the flour mix and butter to a food processor and pulse until the mix looks like breadcrumbs.

3. 3

   Pour in cold water and mix everything together until it forms a ball. Then, knead the dough and leave to sit for 7-10 minutes.

4. 4

   Preheat oven at 170°C. Divide the dough into two to make it easier. Use a rolling pin to flatten the first dough (it should be about 5mm thick). Use something circular to cut out the pastry the pie. Add the minced beef filling to the centre of the pastry and use egg mix to seal the pie. Use a fork to seal the edges and lightly brush the pie with egg mix. Repeat this step for each pie.

5. 5

   Grease a large oven tray with margarine and bake pies for 30-40 minutes.

6. 6

   Get ready to eat!