Coal Miner Beef Hand Pies

BEEF HAND PIES

COAL MINER’s DREAM

4 uncooked pie crusts

1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water

1 medium onion, chopped fine (about 2 cups)

2 medium potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/4” dice (about 2 cups

2 medium carrots, scraped and cut into 1/4” dice (about 1/2 cup)

8 ounces mushrooms, chopped

1 pound ground beef

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground pepper

1/3-1/2 cup dry sherry, white wine or stout

Heat a large skillet or dutch oven over high heat and add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onions and sauté until softened. Add the potatoes, carrot and mushrooms, and mix well. Turn heat to medium low, cover pan, and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes. Uncover pan and test the potatoes with the point of a knife. The knife should go in easily, but the potato should still have some firmness. Add the bay leaf and the thyme. Stir to release the flavor oils. Add the beef and brown, pressing and chopping with a spatula. Add the salt and pepper, and the Worcestershire. Deglaze with about 1/3-1/2 cup dry sherry. Cook for a minute over high heat. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Remove pan from stove and allow mixture to cool.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Allow pie crusts to come to room temperature, but keep covered. When ready, divide each crust into 3 equal pieces. You will have a total of 12 balls. Roll each piece into a ball, then roll out to a 6 inch circle. Place 1/3 cup of filling on center of circle and fold over to make a half circle. Crimp well along seam. Place on parchment covered baking sheet. Repeat for a total of 12 hand pies on two baking sheets.

Brush the hand pies with the beaten egg, covering every surface, especially the seam. Bake the pies for 45 minutes, or until golden. Allow to cool a little before serving.

Makes 12 hand pies.

Please note: Recipe is easily halved to make 6. But I like to make 12 and put them in the freezer. To reheat from frozen, place on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 30-45 minutes, or until warmed through.