Savory Meat Pie with Plain Puff Pastry

• Minced meat – 500g (beef, pork, or a mixture)
• Onions – 240g, finely chopped
• Garlic – 1 clove, minced
• Soy sauce – To taste
• Ground coriander – To taste
• Ground black pepper – To taste

For the Dough:

• Water – 200ml
• All-purpose flour – 280-300g (adjust based on dough consistency)
• Salt – 1 teaspoon (level)
• Sugar – 1 teaspoon
• Baking powder – 1 teaspoon
• Butter – 60-100g, melted

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 egg yolk – For brushing the top
• Sesame seeds – For sprinkling on top (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

1. Chop the Onion: Finely chop the onions into small cubes.
2. Sauté the Onion: Heat a pan with a small amount of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté them until they become translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Cook the Minced Meat: Add the 500g of minced meat to the onions. Fry over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid from the meat evaporates and the meat begins to brown.
4. Season the Filling: Add minced garlic, soy sauce, coriander, and black pepper to taste. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the meat is evenly coated with the seasoning.
5. Cool the Filling: Once the meat is fully cooked and seasoned, remove it from the heat and let the filling cool completely before using it in the pie.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

1. Mix the Water with Sugar and Salt: In a large mixing bowl, combine 200ml of water with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until both the sugar and salt dissolve.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour (start with 280g) and 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
3. Form the Dough: Slowly add the flour mixture to the water, stirring continuously. Once the dough starts to come together, knead it by hand until you achieve a smooth and elastic consistency. You may need to adjust the amount of flour (adding up to 300g) depending on the humidity and the consistency of the dough.
4. Let the Dough Rest: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This resting period helps the dough become easier to roll out.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

1. Divide and Roll Out the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out each part into a thin sheet, large enough to fit your 25 cm by 25 cm baking mold.
2. Brush with Butter: Brush each sheet of dough with melted butter. This step will help create the flaky layers typical of puff pastry. Fold the dough as shown in your reference video (typically in thirds or quarters) to incorporate the butter into layers, then roll the dough out again to fit the size of your baking mold.
3. Line the Mold with Dough: Place one sheet of dough into the mold, pressing it gently into the edges and corners to form the base. Make sure there is enough dough to form a rim around the edge of the pie.

Read More