My mother-in-law taught me how to cook frozen pasties. If you’re looking for a delicious, easy, and cheap meal, you can’t go wrong with these pastries. She grew up in Upper Michigan and learned how to make these when she was very young. She would make them often and her meat pies were always the best.
It was so wonderful when she made extra and freeze them. On those days we wanted comfort food and didn’t feel like cooking, it was great to pop one of those frozen meat pies in the oven and just sit back and relax until it was hot throughout.
Upper Peninsula Pasties
Today, I am going to share her perfect pasty recipe with you. I wish she was here yet with me making them. She would always make a double batch so some could be frozen. On those days when we were too tired to make a dinner for the family, it was wonderful to pop these in the oven. They would come out steamy hot on the inside with a delicious crust on the outside.
The crust is sturdy enough to eat this holding it with two hands, yet tender enough to enjoy. There is just something about homemade pasties.
Did you know that they are also called a Cornish Pasty?
Simple Instructions
This really is an easy recipe and the smell of baking pasties wafting through the house is DeVine.
Mix the dough ingredients and refrigerate for an hour.
Dice the vegetables and mix that with the ground meat.
Divide dough ball into 12 servings. Roll each one in an 8-inch circle. Add the meat mixture to one side of each dough disc.
Fold the dough over the filling, seal and add an egg wash.
Oven Cook or place in an Air Fryer basket and bake. Both methods would work.
How Long to Air Fry a Cornish pastry?
Once the pasty is made, place it in the aluminum foil lined air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you cook frozen cooked pasties?
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the frozen pastries on a non-greased baking sheet in the center of the oven. Bake pasties for 40 minutes. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Making more than one pasty? Add 2 minutes for each additional one.
Can you freeze pastries?
Yes, once cooked, let them cool completely to room temperature. Place in an airtight container with parchment paper or wax paper between the layers. They will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months. When you are ready to serve, remove the frozen pasty and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Is it better to freeze pasties cooked or uncooked?
Whether you are traveling in Michigan and purchase extra pasties or make a bulk batch yourself, they are perfect for freezing both baked and unbaked for and baking later. Here is how.
The best way to prevent the pastries from sticking to each other, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper and arrange the pasties in a single layer on the tray, so they are not touching. Place the trays in the freezer for a few hours or until the surface is completely frozen. Then they can be transferred to freezer storage containers.
Uncooked Pasties can be frozen the same as you might freeze an unbaked pie. The soft dough of unbaked pasties will stick together, therefore, it is important to freeze them on a wax paper or parchment lined baking tray. Once frozen, wrap them in plastic food wrap, then aluminum foil, and finally place in an airtight freezer container.
Last, make sure to label the contents and the date. An unbaked pasty can stay fresh frozen up to 6 months.
When Oven baked, you will get the fresh-baked pastry crust.
Can you cook a frozen pasty from frozen?
Yes, in fact, we recommend that you always bake your pasties from the frozen state once they have been frozen.
How do you cook frozen cooked pasties?
Place on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For 45 minutes to an hour or until the inside is piping hot and the outside pastry is golden brown in color. The key is not having the oven temperature too hot, so the outside does not get too dark brown before the inside meat filling has a chance to cook through. Pro Tip. If the crust starts browning too much before the inside is hot, lay a piece of aluminum foil across the top to protect it.
Can I reheat a cooked pasty?
For the best results and a delicious flaky pastry crust on the outside, we recommend heating a thawed yet cooked pasty in the oven. Just place on a baking sheet and place in the oven on 350 degrees Fahrenheit and reheat approximately 30 minutes until the meat filling is warm.
Another option is to microwave the pasty on high for 1 minute if thawed 3-4 minutes if frozen or until heated through. However, this is not our preferred method as the outside dough can get rather tough and rubbery.
How long can you keep pasties at room temperature?
For food safety, a meat pie should left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Harmful bacteria could grow, and the meat pie should be discarded after 2 hours.
How long will a pastry last in the fridge?
Pastry dough can be stored in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Just shape into a disc and wrap it in plastic wrap and place in a plastic bag or other sealed container. Pro Tip. Add a bit of lemon juice when mixing your pastry dough as this will stop the dough from taking on a grey hue.
Can you freeze uncooked pastry?
Yes, many commercial bakers and home bakers alike make large batches of pastry just to freeze some for later use. Here is how to freeze uncooked pastry. Shape dough into a disc. Wrap it in plastic wrap, then place in a plastic freezer bag or another airtight container. It will freeze well for up to 1 month.
Pro Tip. Since Air and moisture exposure can lead to freezer burn or excessive ice crystal formation, it is best to have another layer of protection to keep the dough from forming ice crystals. After wrapping them in plastic wrap, go ahead and wrap them in aluminum foil before adding to a freezer container.
Can you eat Cornish pasties cold?
Yes, these hand pies were made by the wives of coal miners. This hearty meal would be eaten at lunch time. It is a full meal in a delicious little package.
Can you use a puff pastry as the short crust pastry?
Yes, just cut an 8-inch circle out of the puff pastry. Add the meat filling to one side. Fold the dough over and seal. Bake just as you would the short crust pastry dough.
What to Serve with Pasties?
Baked beans compliment these hand pies well.
Serve gravy over these meat pies.
7-layer salad compliments this meal nicely.
Upper Peninsula Pasties
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
Shortcrust Pastry
- 2 Cups Shortening
- 2 Cups Boiling Water
- 5-1/2 to 6 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Teaspoons Salt
Meat and Potato Filling
- 6 Medium Potatoes peeled, 3 pounds, we like red potatoes best
- 2 Small Rutabagas peeled, 1-1/2 pounds
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1/2 Pound Ground Pork
- 2 Medium Onions diced
- 3 Teaspoons Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Pepper
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 1 Large Egg beaten
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the boiling water and shortening and stir until shortening is melted. Gradually add in flour and salt stirring until a very soft dough is formed. Cover with plastic wrap and 1 hour.2 Cups Shortening, 2 Cups Boiling Water, 5-1/2 to 6 Cups All-Purpose Flour, 2 Teaspoons Salt
- Cut potatoes, onions, and rutabagas into bite sized pieces. Add that to a large bowl with the Ground Beef, Ground Pork, Salt, Pepper, and Powder. Gently mix.6 Medium Potatoes, 2 Small Rutabagas, 1 Pound Ground Beef, 1/2 Pound Ground Pork, 2 Medium Onions, 3 Teaspoons Salt, 2 Teaspoons Pepper, 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Using a floured surface, roll out 1 portion at a time into a circle approximately 8-inches in diameter.
- Mound 1-1/2 to 2 cups of the meat filling on one side of each circle. Dot with 1 teaspoon butter.1/4 Cup Butter
- Moisten edges with water; carefully fold dough over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. Cut several slips in the top of the pasties to help the steam release while baking.1 Large Egg
- Place them on an ungreased baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Brush the tops with the beaten egg wash for a golden-brown coloring when baked.
- Bake in center rack of oven for 1 hour until golden brown at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let cool a few minutes on wire racks. These can be served hot or cold.
