Copper Country Pasties Recipe Using Lard

COPPER COUNTRY PASTIES

Steps:

• Divide the pie dough into 6 equal portions, press each into a flat disc, then stack them on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine all the filling ingredients in a large bowl (be liberal with the salt and pepper) and mix well.
• Roll out each dough disc into a 9-inch circle and brush edges with water. Place about 1/6 of meat-vegetable mixture off-center on each circle, topping each with 1/6 of the butter. Fold the large side of the dough over the filling, then crimp the edges to seal. Place on the prepared pan and cut several slits in the tops.
• Bake about 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 and continue to bake (20 to 30 minutes) until the tip is golden brown. Serve with plenty of ketchup.

COPPER COUNTRY PASTIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, butter and salt. Blend ingredients until well combined.
• Add water, one tablespoon at a time to form a dough.
• Toss mixture until it forms a ball.
• Knead dough lightly against a smooth surface with heel of the hand to distribute fat evenly.
• Form into a ball, dust with flour, wrap in wax paper and chill for 30 minutes.
• Filling:Combine all filling ingredients in a large bowl.
• Divide the dough into 6 pieces. Roll each of the pieces into a 10-inch round on a lightly floured surface.
• Put 1-1/2 cups of filling on one half of the round.
• Moisten the edges with water. Fold the unfilled half over the filling to enclose it.
• Pinch the edges together to seal. Crimp edges decorativley with a fork.
• Transfer pasty to lightly buttered baking sheet and cut several slits in the top.
• Repeat with the other dough rounds.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes.
• Put 1 teaspoon of butter through a slit in each pasty and continue baking for 30 minutes more.
• Remove from oven, cover with a damp tea towel, cool for 15 minutes.
• Serve with additional butter and ketchup, if desired.

CORNISH PASTIES

Steps:

• For the pastry: Sift the flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt into a mixing bowl and add the butter and lard. Using your fingers, 2 knives, or a pastry blender, cut the butter and lard into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles fine crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk and water together and add to the flour mixture. Mix quickly, but thoroughly, until mixture just comes together to form a dough. Knead briefly until pastry is smooth with no cracks; the trick to making this delicate pastry easy to work with is kneading it just enough so that it can be rolled out and manipulated without breaking but yet retains its lovely crumbly texture. Press into a flattened disk shape and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight before proceeding.
• Remove the pastry from the refrigerator and unwrap. Allow to soften slightly, then place on a lightly floured work surface and roll the pastry to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Using a small plate or saucer as a guide, cut out 6 (6-inch) rounds. (Scraps may be combined and reformed if you cannot get 6 rounds out of the first batch.) Stack the pastry rounds onto pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper (with pieces between each round to keep them from sticking together) and refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
• For the filling: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the pastry circles from the refrigerator. In a mixing bowl, combine the meat, onion, carrot, potato, salt and pepper and mix until thoroughly combined. Place the pastry circles on a clean work surface and place about 1/2 cup of the filling in the center of 1 side of the pastry. Using the beaten egg, brush the edges of the pastry and then bring the unfilled side over the filled side so that edges meet. Press edges together to seal and then crimp using your fingers or a fork. Repeat with the remaining turnovers and then transfer to a baking sheet. Brush the tops of the turnovers with the remaining egg and then cut several slits into the top of each pastry. Bake for 20 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown around the edges. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and continue to bake until the pasties are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

UPPER MICHIGAN PASTIES

Steps:

• Crust:.
• Pour the boiling water over the lard until the lard is dissolved.
• Add salt to flour and add this to the waterand lard.
• Mix this together until it forms a ball.
• Wrap in Saran Wrap and refrigerate overnite.
• Filling:.
• Combine the filling ingredients in a large bowl. Let sit and meld together, while rolling out the crust. This chilled dough will make 8 pasties.
• Take one of the dough balls and roll out on a floured surface, roll into a circle about.
• 1/8 inch thick. Do the same with all the dough.
• Put large cupful of filling on the crust; dab ice water around the edge of the crust to seal.
• Add a teaspoon of butter on top of the filling before sealing.
• Fold crust over top of filling like a turnover, and seal edges well.
• Place pasties on baking sheets and bake at 425°F for 15 minutes; then turn oven down to 350°F for 60 mimutes, or until nicely browned.
• When done, brush the top with butter.
• I serve with ketchup.

UPPER PENINSULA PASTIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir shortening and water until shortening is melted. Gradually stir in flour and salt until a very soft dough is formed; cover and refrigerate for 1-1/2 hours. , Cut potatoes and rutabagas into 1/8- or 1/4-inch cubes; do not make cubes too large or they will not cook properly. Gently combine ground beef and pork; break into small crumbles. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, rutabagas, onions, meat mixture and seasonings. , Divide dough into 12 equal portions. On a floured surface, roll out 1 portion at a time into a 8-in. circle. Mound 1-1/2 to 2 cups filling on half of each circle; dot with 1 teaspoon butter. Moisten edges with water; carefully fold dough over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. , Place on ungreased baking sheets. Cut several slits in top of pasties. If desired, brush with cream or beaten egg. Bake at 350° until golden brown, about 1 hour. Cool on wire racks. Serve hot or cold. Store in the refrigerator.