Snacks: Making Meatpie

Meatpie is an absolute favourite in the classes of snacks in Nigeria. Maybe because most people are meat lovers or just because of the taste of the pie. In my home, it is the preferred snacks even for my sister who isn't a meat lover.

Meatpie is a simple snack filled with minced meat and a few other ingredients.

Meat-minced (as much as you like)
Irish potatoes-diced (3 large ones)
Carrots-diced (2 sticks medium size)
All purpose flour (about 4 cups)
Margarine-(about 130g)
Spices (curry, thyme, salt, seasoning-a cube of knorr)
Salt
Baking powder

Now, how is the meatpie made?
First let's make the filling.
Some people start with the dough but I would start with the filling so that it has time to cool down once the dough is ready.

First we cook the meat. The meat is easier to dice once cooked but if you can dice it before cooking, that's fine too. I cook my meat with curry, thyme, seasoning and salt. The meat stock is drained from the meat after it is cooked and set aside (we shall be using it later).

Next, to prepare the filling, we add a little groundnut oil into a pan, add the diced potatoes

, allow to cook for atleast 2 minutes or until slightly cooked, add carrots

, allow both to cook for 2 minutes then add the meat stock and allow to cook for awhile. The stock already contains all the spices you will need, so taste and see if you need to add more into the filling. After the carrots and potatoes have cooked, add the diced meat. Always taste for salt, it should not be overpowering. Once all is cooked, add a spoon of flour (or as required) to thicken the mixture. Cook for about a minute more then take off the fire and allow to cool.

Next step, making the dough. For the dough, put your flour into a bowl, add bits or diced room temperature margarine into the flour, add a teaspoon of baking powder and two pinches of salt.

Mix the margarine and flour by crumbling it, that is, it should look a bit like bread crumbs after mixing

Gradually add water and shape into balls . Allow to rest for 5 minutes before rolling.

Roll dough to be atleast 2inches or more thick. Cut in circular shape and fill in the fillings

Shape with a fork, brush the top with egg wash.

Put the meatpies in a greased oven tray and put in the oven to bake for about 30mins on 375degree Celcius.

And that is how you make one of the best snacks found on streets and eateries in Nigeria.