Author Notes
Easy to make and perfect for freezing, these savory pockets can be filled with any combination of leftover vegetables you have on hand. You can even crumble leftover cooked hamburgers and add it to mix. I find the filling doesn't need additional seasoning since the vegetables were roasted with olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper, but have included salt and pepper in the ingredient list as "to taste", so you can be the judge. Last note—these heat up great in the microwave. In 14 seconds, mine were warm inside and the crust retained a nice flaky crispness. - Jennifer Perillo
—Jennifer Perillo
Test Kitchen Notes
This is a great way to use up leftovers. Wrapped up in a flaky crust, the nice and creamy filling is very satisfying. Plus, you have the freedom to use whatever veggies are your favorite. – Stephanie —The Editors
Ingredients
- For the Basic Butter Crust
-
8 ounces
flour
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1 teaspoon
(5 grams) kosher salt
-
1 teaspoon
(2 grams) baking powder
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4 ounces
cold butter
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4 to 6 tablespoon ice cold water
- For the Hand Pies
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1 cup
(6.5 ounces) roasted vegetables, chopped
-
1/2 cup
(2.5 ounces) fresh ricotta cheese
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Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste if needed
-
1 egg, beaten with a splash of water, optional
Directions
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To make the basic butter crust, add the flour, salt and baking powder to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until it forms a sandy crumb. Starting with 4 tablespoons, sprinkle the water over the flour-butter mixture and pulse until it forms a ball, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Add another tablespoon or two of water if necessary. Dump onto an unfloured counter and form into a flat disc. Wrap in plastic or waxed paper and let chill until firm, but still pliable, about 1 hour (you can also quick chill it in the freezer for 20 minutes while you prep your filling ingredients).
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Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line two 11-inch by 16-inch rimmed sheet pans with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, mix the vegetables and ricotta cheese together. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary.
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On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 to 1/16-inch thick. Cut out 5-inch circles. It's okay to re-roll the scraps until all the dough is used up. Place cut circles on the prepared baking sheets (do not forget to place on parchment before forming pockets or they will be too delicate to transfer). Spoon 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of filling into the center of each circle, fold over, making sure the filling is not spilling out the edges, and crimp the edges with a fork. Pierce tops with the tines of a fork to create steam vents.
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Brush tops with egg wash, if using. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden. Let sit on sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Serve warm. May be stored, wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. No doubt, they can also be stored in an air-tight zip-top bag in the freezer, though I don't know for how long since they get eaten too fast around here.
Jennifer Perillo is the Consulting Food Editor at Working Mother magazine, and a regular a contributor to Relish Magazine and FoodNetwork.com. She shares stories about food, family and life at her blog In Jennie's Kitchen and in her debut cookbook, Homemade with Love: Simple Scratch Cooking from In Jennie's Kitchen (Running Press 2013).
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