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These Savory Hand Pies are a comforting and delicious treat made with a rich beef filling simmered with potatoes, vegetables, and fresh thyme, all wrapped up in flaky puff pastry. The pies are perfect for a cozy meal or snack and are easy to make with store-bought puff pastry. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a light side, like a green salad or mashed potatoes. These hand pies are sure to please both kids and adults alike with their savory flavors and golden, flaky texture.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Beef Filling:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium white onion, finely diced
1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
1 rib celery, finely diced
Salt and black pepper to taste
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 pound ground beef (85/15 ratio)
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups beef stock or broth
1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced (¼ -½ inch cubes)
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
¼ cup green peas

For the Pastry:

2 (17.3 oz) packages puff pastry sheets, frozen
1 egg, whisked (for egg wash)
Flaky salt, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Prepare the Filling: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until softened. Add garlic, followed by ground beef, Italian seasoning, and white pepper. Cook until the beef is no longer pink.
Add the Tomato Paste and Worcestershire Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Add flour and mix well to combine.
Add Stock and Potatoes: Slowly stir in the beef stock or broth and diced potatoes. Cover the pan and let the filling simmer for 25-35 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the sauce thickens.
Finish the Filling: Add thyme, parsley, and peas, then stir to combine. Allow the filling to cool completely.
Prepare Puff Pastry: While the filling cools, roll out the puff pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 4 squares (for a total of 16 squares).
Assemble the Hand Pies: Spoon about ½ cup of the cooled filling onto the center of half of the squares. Place another square on top and press the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges and cut small slits in the top for ventilation.
Chill and Bake: Place the assembled hand pies in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to chill. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush each hand pie with egg wash, sprinkle with flaky salt (if desired), and bake for 24-26 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Let the hand pies cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before serving.

Nutritional Value (per hand pie)

Calories: 690 kcal
Protein: 20g
Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 800mg
Cholesterol: 80mg
Potassium: 500mg
Iron: 3mg

These hand pies are rich in flavor and perfect for serving at gatherings, as a hearty snack, or for a light dinner. The puff pastry creates a crispy, flaky exterior, while the savory beef filling offers a comforting bite with every mouthful.

The Perfect Filling for Savory Hand Pies

The beef filling for these hand pies is both comforting and flavorful. The savory base starts with a mixture of onions, carrots, and celery sautéed in olive oil and butter until they’re tender and aromatic. The addition of garlic and ground beef, seasoned with Italian seasoning and white pepper, gives the filling a rich and savory depth.

Tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce are stirred into the mixture, adding both tanginess and a slight sweetness, while the flour helps to thicken the filling into a rich, comforting gravy. The beef stock and diced potatoes are simmered together until the potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened. Fresh thyme and parsley provide a burst of flavor, and green peas add a pop of color and a slight sweetness that balances out the savory notes of the beef. The result is a filling that’s savory, satisfying, and full of comforting flavors.

Flaky Puff Pastry: A Crispy Golden Exterior

The puff pastry used for these hand pies is key to their irresistible texture. By using store-bought puff pastry, you save time without compromising on quality. When baked, the puff pastry becomes golden, flaky, and crisp, offering the perfect contrast to the savory, hearty filling. Each bite of the hand pie provides a satisfying crunch on the outside, followed by a warm, flavorful filling that melts in your mouth.

Rolling the pastry sheets out and cutting them into squares allows for a uniform size, and the combination of the pastry with the beef filling makes for a truly satisfying bite-sized treat. The egg wash applied before baking gives the pastry an extra glossy finish, ensuring that each hand pie looks as beautiful as it tastes.

Perfect for Any Occasion

These Savory Hand Pies are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of settings. They are the perfect size for parties and potlucks, where they can be enjoyed as a hearty snack or appetizer. Their portability makes them an excellent choice for picnics, or they can be served as a fun and easy dinner with a side of green salad or mashed potatoes.

Hand pies are also great for meal prep; you can make them ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and bake them when you’re ready to enjoy them. The rich beef filling is filling enough to stand on its own, but these hand pies also pair well with light, fresh sides to balance out the richness of the filling. Whether served as part of a larger meal or as a standalone snack, they will definitely be a crowd-pleaser.

A Few Tips for Perfect Hand Pies

To make sure your hand pies come out perfectly every time, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

Chill the pies before baking: After assembling the hand pies, chilling them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before baking helps the filling firm up and prevents the pastry from becoming soggy. It also helps the pastry hold its shape better during baking.
Seal the edges well: Make sure the edges of the pastry are pressed together firmly to avoid any leaks during baking. You can crimp the edges with a fork to give them a decorative touch while ensuring a tight seal.
Be patient while cooling: Let the hand pies cool for about 10 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set. This will help the flavors meld together and ensure that the filling doesn’t spill out when you bite into the pie.

Nutritional Benefits

These Savory Hand Pies offer a great balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, making them a filling meal or hearty snack. Each hand pie contains 20g of protein, which comes from the lean ground beef, as well as 45g of fat from the butter and puff pastry. The carbohydrates mainly come from the potatoes and puff pastry, providing a satisfying and comforting bite.

While these hand pies are rich and indulgent, they are still a great option when you’re looking for a flavorful, hearty meal. The fiber from the vegetables, as well as the vitamins from the peas, carrots, and onions, add a nutritional boost to the dish. The iron content from the beef helps support your overall health, making these hand pies a flavorful yet satisfying choice.

Conclusion: A Hearty, Flavorful Meal

These Savory Hand Pies are the perfect combination of flaky pastry and savory beef filling, making them a comforting treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them for dinner, as a snack, or at a party, these hand pies are sure to impress with their rich flavors and golden, crispy texture. With the help of store-bought puff pastry, this recipe is easy to make and full of flavor, allowing you to enjoy a homemade meal that’s both comforting and delicious. Try these hand pies today for a bite-sized treat that’s sure to satisfy!

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