How To Make Nigerian Meat Pie

This simply pastry filled with beef, potatoes and spices are popularly eaten by Nigerians at large, and could be found in eateries around. Indeed i must say that meat pies are to Nigerians what empanadas are to Mexicans.

You may not not need to go all the way to eateries to have this delicious pastry, why not try out some home-made ones. We have listed out all you'll need to make some of these bellow;

Ingredients:

For the filling

• 2 cups of ground beef (a cup = 250ml)
• 2 cups of cooked Irish potatoes (diced)
• 1/2 cup of green pees
• 1/2 tsp. each of curry & nutmeg
• 1/4 cup of onion (chopped)
• 1/2 tsp. of black pepper (can substitute with red ones)
• 1 Tablespoon of canola oil (can substitute with olive or vegetable oil)
• 1 Stock cube (maggi)
• 1/2 tsp. of salt

Procedure:

• Place a large saucepan on medium heat, add the oil and chopped onion, and fry for about 2 minutes 
• Add the ground beef, salt, stock cubes (maggi) and pepper, cover and allow to cook for about 10 minutes stirring it occasionally 
• Add the peas and diced potatoes, stir and cover for another 5 minutes
• Add the curry and nutmeg, stir for 2 minutes more
• Remove from heat and set aside, preferable in the fridge to cool faster 

For the Dough

• 4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 table spoon of Baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 400g of butter or margarine
• 1 cup of water
• 2 eggs 

Procedure;

• Pour the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl and mix thoroughly
• Add the margarine or butter, use your hands to mix the ingredients until margarine or butter is well incorporated
•  A little at a time, add some water into the dough, kneed the dough until water is well incorporated, as pictured below
• 
• Pour some flour to a smooth surface, flatten the dough using a rolling pin
• Cut the dough into big circles using a circular cookie cutter or round bowl if you don't have one. As pictured below

• Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees
• Scoop out 2 spoonful or more of the filling into the center of the circle, then fold the dough over to enclose, forming a half-moon shape, then press edges together to seal using the back of a fork for some decoration. As pictured below

• Repeat the procedure above for the rest of the dough and filling, until finished
• Transfer all to a parchment or foil paper-lined baking sheet
• Whisk the eggs together, then use a clean brush to brush the egg over the formed pies
• Put in the oven and bake for about 15 - 20 minutes until they turn out lightly golden
• Serve preferably hot with chilled drink or ice cream