Soft delicate pastry with a creamy taste
450g/750ml cake flour
2ml salt
250g butter, cut into small blocks
250ml Smetena or cultured sour cream
Preheat oven to 200ºC.
Have greased baking trays ready.
Method
Sift flour and salt twice.
Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Pour all the sour cream into the flour mixture at once and mix into a firm dough.
Use your hands to bind the pastry. Do not add water. Bring together and cover with plastic.
Leave to rest for 30min.
Roll and fold three times. Allow the pastry to rest in a cool place for about 30min. Roll and fold twice more and use as required.
This pastry improves with standing and can be made 3-4 days in advance. It may also be frozen for up to 6 months.
NB: Roll pastry in one direction. Make marking to indicate. To create more layers roll more if desired. Do not over handle dough as pastry will be tough.
Mince Filling
400g mince
1 medium onion, finely chopped
5ml salt
5ml ground jeera powder
5ml chili powder
3ml turmeric powder
5ml ground koljana powder
10ml garlic and ginger
50ml dhunia, finely chopped
20ml cooking oil
20ml tomato paste
Method
Rinse and drain mince in colander.
Braise onion in a pot with a little oil till golden.
Add mince and mix well. Add spices, garlic and ginger and blend well.
Braise mince till done and fairly dry. Add tomato paste and braise for 2minutes. Add dhunia and mix well.
Assembling the pies
Use a flower cutter to cut pastry into rounds. Fill each round with filling and cover with another round of pastry as for pies.
Brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 200ºC for 15min.
Bake at 180ºC until golden.
NB: Always use left over pastry for bottom of pies. Just press pastry together lightly and then cut with a cutter. Do not bring together into a ball.
Filled pastries freeze successfully.
