Traditional cornish pasties

Method
Prep:50min  ›  Cook:1hr15min  ›  Ready in:2hr5min 

1. Sift the flour and a pinch of salt together into a mixing bowl. Rub in the fat until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Sprinkle 6 tbsp chilled water evenly over the surface, then mix with a round-bladed knife or fork. Add a little more water if the mixture is too dry. Gather the dough together, then lightly knead on a floured surface for a few seconds until smooth. Wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the filling. Put the steak, onion, potato, squash or swede, stock and parsley in a bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper and mix well. Preheat the oven to 200°C (gas 6).
3. Divide the pastry into eight pieces, then roll out each piece on a lightly floured surface to a 20cm round. Spoon an equal amount of the filling onto the centre of each pastry round.
4. Brush the pastry edges with beaten egg or milk, then bring together at the top. Press the edges firmly together to seal, then crimp the edges or pattern them with a fork.
5. Place the pasties on lightly greased or non-stick baking trays and brush with beaten egg or milk. Make a small hole in each to allow some of the steam to escape. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (gas 3) and cook for a further 45 minutes–1 hour or until the pastry is nicely golden and the filling is cooked. (Test by piercing in several places with a fine skewer – it should go through with little resistance.) Serve hot, warm or cold.

COOK SMART

*If time is short, use two 375g packets of ready-made shortcrust pastry.
*Add extra flavour by blending 1/2 tsp English mustard with the stock. You could also make up the vegetable content with some diced carrot or turnip.
*Pasties will freeze well for up to 2 months.