Throughout the world, savory meat pies are a way to enjoy a pastry outside the realm of dessert. While there is an iconic pie in every state and the dessert is a staple of American cuisine and pastry shops alike, meat pies are a different kind of delight. Typically, these dishes combine flaky pastry with a hearty filling of seasoned meats, vegetables, and aromatic spices. With such a variety of flavors, these pies sometimes create a balance between sweet and savory and can be enjoyed at any time of the day, for any meal, and as a snack, appetizer, or main course.
In some countries, their pastries wont look like a traditional pie, such as the shepherds pie or chicken pot pie with which you may be more familiar. No matter the shape, almost every country has its own variation of a savory pie that embodies the culture and cuisine. From Spanish empanadas to Finnish kalakukko, here are 15 delicious meat pies you can find around the world.
Pastilla – Morocco
In Morocco, the quintessential meat pie is the pastilla, also called bastilla. This dish combines savory and sweet flavors like chicken or cornish hen, almonds, and cinnamon and sugar enveloped in layers of thin dough called warka (or warqa), which is somewhat similar to filo pastry. Traditionally, this pie calls for very tender, juicy poultry and in the Fez region of Morocco, the classic bastilla is stuffed with pigeon, almonds, and spices like saffron and cinnamon.
In general, the process is rather meticulous, and sometimes the filling is prepared a day beforehand, partly because making the warka requires a practiced hand, and also because the filling is arranged in layers between the thin dough. The first layer consists of the seasoned poultry, the next layer is an egg mixture, and the final layers incorporate the ground and toasted almonds, and finished with a lattice decoration made of cinnamon and sugar.
Pirozhki – Russia
From the world of hand pies comes the Russian and Ukrainian pirozhki. Unlike most pies or pasties, pirozhki is made with a fluffy, yeast dough that can be stuffed with either sweet or savory ingredients. Some savory fillings typically found in pirozhki are ground meat, cabbage, mashed potatoes, liver, spring onions, or eggs. The pirozhki is like a small turnover or stuffed bun with a soft dough and crispy, buttery exterior but shouldnt be confused with the slightly more prevalent Polish pierogi (which is a dumpling cooked in boiling water). This street food is meant to be eaten in a few bites, which to us just means its a small package that packs a big, flavorful punch.
Back in the 1950s, there was actually quite a battle contesting its origins. A Japanese chef, Hazuo Tomita, ended up patenting pirozhki as his own invention, leading to a court battle that garnered 600 witnesses to testify that the recipe was indeed of Russian origins. Even today, the finger food can be bought in Japan, but it remains an eminent fast food option throughout Eastern Europe.
Beef and Cheese Stuffed Pastry Ep.97
FAQ
What is a meat filled pastry called?
What are savory filled pastries in Latin America?
What is a meat pies stuffed with meat filling?
Pastelitos de Carne (Puff Pastry with Meat Filling) are meat pies filled with a savory Carne Molida (Puerto Rican Picadillo) baked to golden perfection.
What are stuffed puff pastry pockets?
These savory Stuffed Puff Pastry Pockets also known as Fagottini or Saccottini are filled the perfect Italian Filling, prosciutto, mozzarella and thinly sliced potato slices. The perfect appetizer or main dish. Puff Pastry is very popular in Italy, it is available in the refrigerator section or in the freezer section of every grocery store.
What kind of meat goes well with puff pastry?
Puff Pastry – I love puff pastry for the buttery, flaky crust it adds to the meat. Ground Meat – I often use beef or turkey and they both are incredibly delicious with these. Mince chicken thighs would work just as well. Spices – this is not heavily spiced and the puff pastry is really the star here.
What are the 5 types of pastry?
There are five basic different types of pastry (a food that combines flour and fat); these are shortcrust pastry, choux pastry, filo pastry, flaky pastry, and puff pastry.