Keeping with the Vegan in Louisiana theme I decided to try my hand at the famous Natchitoches Meat Pies. TVP is always a good substitute for anything that would normally require ground meat. If you can not find TVP in your area or if you are rushed for time, you can use Boca Crumbles or Fantastic World Food's Taco Filling. Both of these meat substitutes are Vegan. The MorningStar Farms version is not, it contains both dairy and egg.
To make mine a bit healthier I chose to use whole wheat flour and also to bake them. Traditionally they are fried. I have to admit I have never actually had a meat pie since I have been a Veg since I was 10. So, I got confirmation from William, who was a meat-eater when we moved to Louisiana, that these do in fact taste like the traditional ones.
For Dough:
1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1 Tbsp Raw Sugar
8 Tbsp cold Vegan Butter, cut into small pieces
4 - 5 Tbsp Ice Water
For Filling:
1 Tbsp Safflower Oil
1 Tbsp Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 Onion, chopped
1 Cup TVP
1 Cup Water
2 tsp Cajun Seasoning (like Tony Chachere’s)
2 tsp Garlic Powder
2 Tbsp Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
2 Tbsp Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
1 Recipe Dough (above)
Directions:
To Make Dough;
*Combine all dry ingredients in food processor or blender and pulse to combine.
*Add butter and pulse until it is in pea-size pieces.
*Drizzle in 3 tablespoons ice water and pulse again. Add more ice water if the dough seems too dry. Form inot a ball, wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.
To Make Pies:
*In a medium size pot bring 1 Cup water to a boil. Add TVP , Bragg’s, Worcestershire, Cajun seasoning, and Garlic Powder. Stir, then cover and remove from heat. Let sit 10 minutes.
*Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; whisk in 1 Tbsp flour, and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onion and cook about 5 minutes. Add TVP mixture and cook another 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
*On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Use a 4-5 inch diameter round cookie cutter or cut around a cup to make a circle of dough.
*Place a heaping Tbsp of TVP filling in the center of each round. Fold dough over filling and seal edges closed by pressing with a fork. Repeat to make remaining pies, re-rolling dough scraps as needed.
* Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and bake 15- 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Natchitoches Pies
(Makes 8 to 10 depending on size)
Ingredients:
For Dough:
1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1 Tbsp Raw Sugar
8 Tbsp cold Vegan Butter, cut into small pieces
4 - 5 Tbsp Ice Water
For Filling:
1 Tbsp Safflower Oil
1 Tbsp Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 Onion, chopped
1 Cup TVP
1 Cup Water
2 tsp Cajun Seasoning (like Tony Chachere’s)
2 tsp Garlic Powder
2 Tbsp Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
2 Tbsp Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
1 Recipe Dough (above)
Directions:
To Make Dough;
*Combine all dry ingredients in food processor or blender and pulse to combine.
*Add butter and pulse until it is in pea-size pieces.
*Drizzle in 3 tablespoons ice water and pulse again. Add more ice water if the dough seems too dry. Form inot a ball, wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.
To Make Pies:
*In a medium size pot bring 1 Cup water to a boil. Add TVP , Bragg’s, Worcestershire, Cajun seasoning, and Garlic Powder. Stir, then cover and remove from heat. Let sit 10 minutes.
*Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; whisk in 1 Tbsp flour, and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onion and cook about 5 minutes. Add TVP mixture and cook another 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
*On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Use a 4-5 inch diameter round cookie cutter or cut around a cup to make a circle of dough.
*Place a heaping Tbsp of TVP filling in the center of each round. Fold dough over filling and seal edges closed by pressing with a fork. Repeat to make remaining pies, re-rolling dough scraps as needed.
* Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and bake 15- 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Post a Comment