Traditional Finnish Pasties Recipes

RECIPE: THE NATIONAL DISH OF FINLAND - KARELIAN PASTIES

Steps:

• Bring water to boil. Add butter and rice. Continue cooking until water has absorbed and then add the milk.
• Let simmer until porridge is done, about 35-40 minutes. Don't forget to stir, otherwise the porridge will burn at the bottom.
• Season and let cool. Once cooled, whisk in the egg.
• Add salt into the water and start adding the flour, 50 g at a time. Towards the end add the butter
• Knead to a smooth, pliable dough.
• Divide the dough into four portions and roll each portion to a stick. Keep the rest of the dough covered as you are working on each portion.
• Divide the stick of dough to 4-5 pieces and roll on a floured surface to a thin disc. The crust is supposed to be thin as this is what makes it crisp, but go fairly easy on the flour - the thinner and drier the dough, the more likely the crust is to tear at the crimping stage.
• A useful tip for a beginner is to roll the dough into a thin sheet and then, using either a cookie cutter or a small bowl (about 12 cm in diameter) cut the sheet to equal size round discs. For this, a pasta machine might just be a useful tool!
• Spoon the porridge on the discs (about 2 tbsp per pasty), fold the edges on top of it and crimp. This should be done with fairly light fingers as the pleats should not be too sharp - the more they stick out, the more likely they are to burn in the oven.
• These need a hot oven, depending on the oven 250-275°C (482-527°F). Place the pasties on a baking tray (no parchment needed as it would only burn). Since there's no yeast or baking powder in the dough, these won't expand during baking so there's no need to leave space between them.
• Once the pasties get a bit of colour, remove from the oven and brush with melted butter. Let cool while covered.
• Boil the eggs and cool in ice water.
• While still a bit warm, mash with butter using a fork.
• Season with salt and chives and serve with the pasties.

CORNISH FINNISH MICHIGAN PASTIES

Steps:

• Whisk together flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut shortening. Make a well in the center of the mixture, and quickly stir in ice cold water. Form dough into a ball. Set aside.
• Dissolve the bouillon cube in the hot water. Combine uncooked vegetables, uncooked meats, salt, pepper, monosodium glutamate, and bouillon.
• Roll out pastry dough into 6 x 8 inch rectangles. Place about 1 1/2 cups of filling in the center of each rectangle. Bring 6 inch sides together, and seal. Cut a slit in the top of each pasty. Place on dull, not black, baking pans.
• Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 45 minutes.

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.

CORNISH FINNISH MICHIGAN PASTIES

Steps:

• Whisk together flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut shortening. Make a well in the center of the mixture, and quickly stir in ice cold water. Form dough into a ball. Set aside.
• Dissolve the bouillon cube in the hot water. Combine uncooked vegetables, uncooked meats, salt, pepper, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and bouillon.
• Roll out pastry dough into 6 x 8 inch rectangles. Place about 1 1/2 cups of filling in the center of each rectangle. Bring 6 inch sides together, and seal. Cut a slit in the top of each pasty. Place on dull, not black, baking pans.
• Bake at 425ºF for 45 minutes.

TRADITIONAL FINNISH PASTIES

Steps:

• With a wire whisk, mix together flour and salt in a large bowl.
• Cut in shortening.
• Make a well in the center of the mixture and quickly stir in the ice cold water.
• Form dough into a ball; Set aside.
• Dissolve the bouillon cube or beef base in the hot water.
• Combine potatoes, carrots, onion, rutabaga, ground beef,pork, salt, pepper,and bouillon.
• Roll out pastry dough into 6 x 8 inch rectangles.
• Place about 1 1/2 cups of filling in the center of each rectangle.
• Bring 6 inch sides together, and seal.
• Cut a slit in the top of each pasty to vent. Place on dull, not black, cokkie sheet.
• Bake in 425 degree oven for 45 minutes.

FINNISH PASTIES

Steps:

• Whisk together flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut shortening. Make a well in the center of the mixture, and quickly stir in ice cold water. Form dough into a ball. Set aside.
• Dissolve the bouillon cube in 1/4 hot water. Combine uncooked vegetables, uncooked meats, salt, pepper, and bouillon.
• Roll out pastry dough into 6 x 8 inch rectangles. Place about 1 1/2 cups of filling in the center of each rectangle. Bring 6 inch sides together, and seal. Cut a slit in the top of each pasty. Place on dull, not black, baking pans.
• Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 45 minute.

FINNISH MEAT PIE

Steps:

• Place shortening in a large bowl. Add boiling water; stir until shortening is melted. In a small bowl, mix flour and salt. Add to shortening mixture; stir until a soft ball forms. Cover and refrigerate until cooled, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 dough portion into a 17x13-in. rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Press onto bottom and up sides of dish. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond rim of dish., In a large bowl, combine filling ingredients. Spoon into pastry. Roll out remaining dough into a 13x9-in. rectangle. Place over filling. Fold bottom pastry over top pastry; press with a fork to seal. In a small bowl, whisk egg and milk; brush over pastry. Cut slits in top. Bake 1-1/4 hours or until golden brown.

CORNISH PASTIE II

Steps:

• Divide pastry in three equal parts. Roll 1/3 to make 8x15 inch rectangle. Trim edges and cut to make two 7-inch squares. Place on baking sheet. Repeat with other two thirds of pastry.
• Arrange layer of potatoes on half of each pastry square, top with layer of onion and then with beef. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and dot with butter.
• Moisten pastry edges with cold water and fold over to make triangles; press edges together to make tight seal. A tight seal retains steam and makes juicy pastries.
• Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 1 hour or until meat is tender. Serve hot with chili sauce, ketchup, or pickle relish or serve cold for sandwiches.