Natchitoches Cajun Meat Pies
Natchitoches Cajun Meat Pies are a deep-rooted culinary delight originating from Louisiana, specifically the vibrant town of Natchitoches. These savory turnovers encapsulate a delightful blend of ground beef and pork, enhanced by a medley of sautéed vegetables including onions, celery, and bell peppers. Inspired by Spanish empanadas, these pies showcase a unique twist with a Cajun flair, making them perfect for gatherings, parties, or simply as a hearty meal. Traditionally served hot, they are often enjoyed as a finger food during festive occasions and are a symbol of the rich cultural tapestry of Louisiana cuisine. Whether baked to a golden perfection or deep-fried for a crispy texture, these meat pies are sure to capture the hearts and taste buds of all who indulge.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1/2 lb (no preparation needed, use raw)
ground pork
1/2 lb (no preparation needed, use raw)
cooking oil
1/2 cup (for sautéing and frying)
chopped onion
1/2 cup (chop finely)
chopped celery
1/2 cup (chop finely)
chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup (chop finely)
chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup (chop finely)
diced garlic
1 tablespoon (dice finely)
beef stock
2 cups (prepare or use pre-made)
pie crusts
2 (9-inch) (store-bought or homemade)
egg
1 (beaten for egg wash)
water
1/2 cup (for mixing)
salt and black pepper
to taste (season to preference)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If you plan on deep-frying the pies instead, prepare a deep fryer or a heavy pot filled with oil for frying.
2
In a heavy-bottomed sauté pan, heat the cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and ground pork, cooking them until they're browned and golden. Stir constantly to ensure even cooking and to allow all moisture to evaporate, which should take about 10 minutes.
3
Once the meats are browned, add the chopped onions, celery, bell peppers, and diced garlic to the pan. Sauté the mixture for an additional three to five minutes, or until the vegetables become tender.
4
Gradually add the beef stock to the pan, allowing it to simmer and cook down slowly for about one hour. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste, then remove from heat and let cool completely.
5
While the meat filling cools, roll out your pie crusts on a floured surface. Cut the dough into circles, then slice each circle in half to form semi-circles.
6
Place a generous spoonful of the cooled meat mixture onto one half of each semi-circle. Brush egg wash around the edges of the dough to create a seal, fold over the other half, and press down the edges with a fork to secure the filling within.
7
Transfer the filled pies onto a greased baking sheet. With a sharp knife, make small slits in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape. Brush the tops liberally with egg wash for a beautiful golden color when baked.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the pies are golden brown. If deep-frying, carefully place the pies in hot oil, frying until golden and crispy, typically 4-6 minutes. Drain on paper towels before serving.
9
Allow pies to cool slightly and serve warm, either as appetizers or as a main dish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Natchitoches Cajun Meat Pies?
They are savory turnovers filled with a blend of ground beef, pork, and sautéed vegetables like onions, celery, and bell peppers.
Where do Natchitoches Cajun Meat Pies originate?
These meat pies originate from the town of Natchitoches in Louisiana.
What historical culinary dish inspired these meat pies?
They are inspired by Spanish empanadas but feature a unique Cajun flair.
What temperature should the oven be set to for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Which meats are used in the filling?
The filling uses a combination of 1/2 lb of ground beef and 1/2 lb of ground pork.
How long should the meats be browned?
The ground beef and pork should be cooked until browned and golden, which takes about 10 minutes.
Why must the meat be stirred constantly while browning?
Constant stirring ensures even cooking and allows all moisture to evaporate.
Which vegetables are included in the meat mixture?
The recipe includes chopped onions, celery, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, and diced garlic.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
The vegetables should be sautéed for three to five minutes until they become tender.
What type of stock is used for the filling?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of beef stock.
How long does the meat mixture need to simmer?
The mixture should simmer and cook down slowly for about one hour.
Should the filling be hot when assembling the pies?
No, the meat mixture should be removed from heat and allowed to cool completely before assembly.
How do you shape the pie crust dough?
Roll out the dough into circles and then slice each circle in half to form semi-circles.
How are the edges of the meat pies sealed?
Edges are sealed by brushing them with egg wash and pressing them down with a fork.
Why are slits made in the top of each pie?
Small slits are made with a knife to allow steam to escape during the baking process.
What is the purpose of applying egg wash to the tops of the pies?
The egg wash helps the pies achieve a beautiful golden color when baked.
How long do the pies take to bake?
The pies should bake for approximately 30 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Can these meat pies be deep-fried instead of baked?
Yes, they can be deep-fried in hot oil until they are golden and crispy.
How long does the deep-frying process take?
Deep-frying typically takes between 4 and 6 minutes.
What should you do with the pies immediately after deep-frying?
They should be drained on paper towels before being served.
How should Natchitoches Cajun Meat Pies be served?
They are best served warm, either as an appetizer, finger food, or a main dish.
What amount of chopped onion is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion.
How much garlic is needed for the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of finely diced garlic.
What kind of pie crust is recommended?
You can use two 9-inch pie crusts, either store-bought or homemade.
What seasonings are used for the filling?
The mixture is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste.
What is the texture of the pies when deep-fried?
Deep-frying results in a crispy texture.
How much bell pepper is used in total?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped green bell pepper and 1/4 cup of chopped red bell pepper.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients listed for this meat pie recipe.
What are these pies a symbol of in Louisiana?
They are a symbol of the rich cultural tapestry of Louisiana cuisine.
What occasion are these pies traditionally served for?
They are often enjoyed as a festive food during gatherings, parties, and festive occasions.