The Chinese do such wonderful things with pork. Like Chinese Pork Pies. Here's the recipe.
INGREDIENTS
400g pork sausages, casings removed
4 spring onions (shallots), thinly
sliced
2 teaspoons Chang‘s Pure Sesame Oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground star anise
125ml (1/2 cup) warm water
50g lard or butter
300g (2 cups) cake, biscuit &
pastry plain flour (see note)
1 tablespoon warm water, extra
(optional)
1 egg, lightly whisked
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Tomato chutney, to serve
Watercress sprigs, to serve
METHOD
Step 1
Place the sausage meat, spring onion,
sesame oil and star anise in a bowl. Use your hands to knead until
well combined. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 1
hour to rest.
Step 2
Stir the water and lard or butter in a
saucepan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes or until the lard or
butter melts. Place the flour in a food processor. Season with salt.
Add the water mixture and process until the mixture comes together,
adding the extra water if necessary. Transfer to a clean surface and
quickly knead until smooth.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 180oC. Divide the
pastry into 2 portions, one slightly larger than the other. Roll out
the larger portion until 2-3mm thick. Use an 11.5cm round pastry
cutter to cut 6 discs from the pastry. Line six 80ml (1/3 cup) muffin
pans with the discs. Divide the sausage mixture among the lined pans,
pushing the mixture into the side of each pan. Roll out the remaining
pastry until 2-3mm thick, re-rolling the excess pastry if necessary.
Use a 9.5cm cutter to cut six discs from the pastry. Place the discs
on top of the pork mixture and crimp the edges to seal.
Step 4
Bake the pies for 30 minutes or until
they start to brown. Transfer to a baking tray. Brush the tops with
egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for a further 10 minutes or
until golden. Set aside to cool. Serve with the chutney and
watercress sprigs.
* * * If You Liked This Recipe, You Might Also Like:
Chinese pork meatballs in broth
Chinese pork skewers
Chinese pork sliders
