Make Ahead

Hand Pie Shells (Tortilla Press Method)

July 17, 2022
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Photo by Four Servings
  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Cook time 20 minutes
  • Serves 25 pies
Author Notes

A tortilla Press is not solely used for or limited to making tortillas. It is way more useful than it appears. Be it naan, pita, a thin pizza crust ,hand pie shells,a tart crust, the options are endless. Not only does it significantly reduce the time it takes to roll out perfectly even pie shells; it produces round individual size pastries, with uniform thickness. Hence, making them easier to cook. —Four Servings

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Pie Filling:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 1 tomato
  • 250 grams minced meat
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup water
  • 125 grams peas
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper
  • 1/2 green bell pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornflour
  • Pie Shell
  • 500 grams flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 250 grams ice cold butter
  • 5 tablespoons water
  • 1 egg
Directions
  1. Heat oil in a pan on medium high heat. Add shallot, garlic paste and tomatoes.Cook for about 3 minutes. The tomato should blister a little on the skin. Add minced meat and mix to incorporate.Add the curry powder, paprika,black pepper, salt, beef bouillon powder and water. Cover with a lid to let the water reduce.
  2. Take the lid off. Add peas, bell peppers, cornflour. Mix everything together, take off heat and set aside to cool.
  3. Cut cold butter into 3 inch cubes. In a food processor, add salt and baking powder to flour. Pulse to incorporate. Add the butter, and pulse until butter is broken down into large peas.
  4. While running the food processor, slowly add ice cold water in tablespoons until all the water is added and mixture begins to come together. What you will end up with is a very crumbly mixture. Do not be tempted to add more water.
  5. Take crumbly dough out of the food processor and pour on your work surface. Use your hands to bring the dough together, without kneading. Wrap in a cling film and chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes or up to 1 month.
  6. Making the Pies: Open tortilla press. Place parchment paper on bottom plate . Add a piece of dough on parchment paper and another parchment paper on the dough. Close the press and use lever to press the lid flat. Take the flattened dough out of tortilla press, place 1 tbsp of filling in the center, fold over dough to form half moon shape.Press edges and crimp.
  7. Place pies on parchment lined baking sheet, brush the top with egg wash and bake at 180°c for 20 minutes.

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