Miniature Meat Turnovers Recipes

MINCEMEAT HAND PIES

Steps:

• Make the mincemeat: Stir fruits, candied peels, zests and juices, sugar, salt, spices, and 2 tablespoons water in a medium stockpot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Stir in Cognac; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let mixture stand until cool. Mincemeat can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to slightly less than 1/8 inch thick. Cut into twenty-four 4-inch squares, gathering together scraps and rerolling if needed. Place 1 tablespoon mincemeat in 1 corner of each square. Brush edges with beaten egg. Fold each in half to form a triangle. Press edges to seal. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pierce tops with tines of a fork. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
• Brush tops with beaten egg; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling, about 25 minutes. Transfer pies and parchment to a wire rack; let cool 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature, with brandy butter.

MINI CHICKEN TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in chicken, broth, seasonings and cream cheese; set aside. , In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and paprika; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. , On a floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/16-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and cut more circles. Mound a heaping teaspoon of filling on half of each circle. Moisten edges with water; fold pastry over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. , Place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling. Prick tops with a fork. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

GROUND BEEF TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, combine the water, egg and vinegar. Add to shortening mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing lightly with a fork until mixture forms a ball. Cover and chill for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, combine the first six filling ingredients. Divide pastry into 15 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion into a 6-1/2-in. circle. , Mound a heaping 1/3 cup filling on half of circle. Moisten edges with water; fold dough over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling. , Cut three slits in the top of each turnover; brush with cream. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until vegetables are tender and crust is golden brown.

TINY CHICKEN TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large skillet saute the onion in the butter until tender. Stir in the chicken, chicken broth, garlic salt, poultry seasoning, pepper and cream cheese. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt and paprika; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms.
• On a floured surface roll out the pastry to 1/16 inch thick. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch round cookie or biscuit cutter. Reroll scraps and cut more circles until the pastry is used up.
• Mound a heaping teaspoon of filling on half of each circle. Moisten edges with water and fold pastry over filling to make a half moon shape. Press edges with a fork to seal. Prick tops with a fork for steam vents.
• Place turnovers on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

MINCEMEAT TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Combine flour, granulated sugar and salt in large bowl; set aside.
• Cut butter into 1-inch chunks.
• Add butter and shortening to flour mixture.
• Cut in with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Drizzle buttermilk over top; toss just until mixture comes together to form ball.
• Turn out dough onto lightly floured work surface; fold in half and flatten to about 1/2 inch thick.
• Knead about 8 times.
• Divide dough in half; press each half into 1/2-inch-thick disc.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Lightly grease cookie sheets; set aside.
• Let dough rest at room temperature 10 minutes.
• Roll 1 dough disc into 8X12-inch rectangle on lightly floured work surface.
• Cut into 24 (3-inch) squares.
• Place heaping 1/2 teaspoon mincemeat in center of each square.
• Fold opposite corners each about 2/3 of the way over filling, overlapping dough corners.
• Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
• Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Remove cookies or wire racks; cool completely.
• Sprinkle pastries lightly with powdered sugar, if desired.