Natchitoches Meat Pies

Every culture/ethnic group seems to have its own version of meat pies. In Latin America, it's the empanada. In Louisiana, it's the meat pie! This yummy version is different than others I've seen on Food.com, and is originally from a cooking blog.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• FILLING

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1⁄2 lb ground beef
• 1⁄2 lb ground pork
• 1⁄2 cup Spanish onion, finely diced
• 1⁄2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1⁄4 cup celery, finely diced
• 1⁄2 cup green onion
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1  tablespoon  Crystal hot sauce
•  kosher salt, black pepper, and Cayenne to taste
• 1⁄2 cup  beef stock
• 1⁄8 cup all-purpose flour

• PIE DOUGH

• 4  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons iodized salt
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 cup  lard
• 1  egg
• 1  cup milk

Directions

1. FILLING:
2. Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat, when hot add the ground meats, cook until browned and cooked through. Add the onions, celery, bell pepper, and green onions, cook until the vegetables are wilted. Add the garlic, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and seasonings, cook for 2 minutes more.
3. Make a slurry of the stock and flour, add to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook for about 5 minutes stirring constantly.
4. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
5. DOUGH:
6. Combine the dry ingredients in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, with the speed on low add the lard to the dry ingredients and let the mixer cut it in until the fat is broken up into pea sized pieces.
7. Beat the egg and combine with the milk. Add the wet to the dry with the mixer on low, in a slow steady stream. Mix until the dough just comes together. The key is to not overwork the dough.
8. Cut the dough in half then roll it out to 1/8 inch thickness on a floured counter. Cut into either the more traditional 5 inch circles or into 3 inch circles if using for appetizers.
9. ASSEMBLE:
10. Place 1 heaping Tablespoon (doubled for the larger size) of the cooled mixture to each circle. With your finger wet the edge with a little water, fold over and crimp with a fork. Set aside on a floured surface until ready to fry.
11. Heat 4 inches of oil in a dutch oven to 360 degrees. Fry the meat pies in small batches until golden brown on each side.