Forfar Birdies Scottish Hand Pies – Discover the deliciousness of Forfar Birdies Scottish Hand Pies. A classic Scottish treat. Featuring a savory filling of ground beef. And onions. Wrapped in flaky pastry. Perfect for a hearty snack. Or a delightful appetizer. These hand pies. Are a must-try.
The first time I made Forfar Birdies. My husband and child. Couldn’t wait to try them. The aroma of the savory beef filling. And buttery pastry filled the kitchen. Making everyone impatient. For them to come out of the oven. As soon as they were cool enough to handle. My family devoured them. Praising the rich flavors. And flaky crust. These hand pies. Quickly became a household favorite!
What makes this Forfar Birdies Scottish Hand Pies truly special?
Forfar Birdies Scottish Hand Pies. Offer a perfect balance of savory beef filling. And flaky pastry. Making them an irresistible treat. For any occasion. They are easy to make. With store-bought puff pastry. Or empanada discs. And their portable size. Makes them ideal. For picnics, parties, or on-the-go snacks. The combination of Dijon mustard. And beef stock. Adds a unique depth of flavor. That sets these hand pies apart.
What You Need To Make This Forfar Birdies Scottish Hand Pies Recipe?
Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef. To keep the filling flavorful. Without being too greasy.
Onion: A finely chopped large onion adds sweetness and depth. Balancing the savory beef.
Dijon Mustard: This gives a tangy kick. Elevating the flavor profile of the filling.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings. That enhances all the other flavors.
Beef or Vegetable Stock: Keeps the filling moist and rich. Ensuring every bite is juicy.
Unsalted Butter: Cold cubes of butter melt during baking. Creating a deliciously rich filling.
Puff Pastry or Empanada Discs: Using store-bought makes this recipe quick and easy. Without compromising on the flakiness.
Egg White: Brushing with egg white. Gives the pies a beautiful golden finish.
Steps To Make Forfar Birdies Scottish Hand Pies:
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven: First, set your oven to 440°F so it’s ready to go.
Step 2: Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and stock. Gently fold in the cold, cubed butter. This makes sure the butter stays intact and melts beautifully when baked.
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Step 3: Prepare the Pastry: If you’re using puff pastry, roll it out and cut it into 6-8 circles, each about 6 inches across. If you have empanada discs, they’re ready to use.
Step 4: Assemble the Pies: Place a generous spoonful of the beef mixture onto each pastry circle. Wet the edge of the pastry with a little water, fold it over to cover the filling, and press the edges with a fork to seal them tightly.
Step 5: Brush and Vent: Brush the tops of the hand pies with beaten egg white for a shiny finish. Make a couple of small slits on the top of each pie to let the steam escape while baking.
Step 6: Bake: Arrange the pies on a baking sheet. Bake for 32-35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown. If they start to brown too quickly, cover them with foil halfway through.
Step 7: Cool and Serve: Let the pies cool for about 5 minutes before serving to let the filling set slightly. Enjoy them warm for the best taste.
Tip:
For the flakiest, most delicious pastry. Make sure to work with cold butter. And cold pastry dough. The little bits of butter in the dough. Will create steam pockets. As they melt in the oven. Resulting in that perfect, flaky texture. If you’re making the pastry from scratch. Chill it thoroughly before rolling it out. When folding and sealing the pies. Handle the dough as little as possible. To keep it from warming up. Also, don’t skip the step of creating steam vents on top of each pie—this helps to prevent the filling from making the pastry soggy. And ensures a beautiful golden crust. If you’re feeling adventurous. Try adding a pinch of herbs like thyme or rosemary to the filling. For an added layer of flavor. Enjoy your homemade Forfar Birdies warm from the oven. Perhaps with a side of tangy chutney. Or a simple green salad.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I freeze Forfar Birdies?
Yes. You can freeze the unbaked hand pies. Place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen. Adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I use other types of meat?
Absolutely! Ground lamb or pork. Would be delicious alternatives.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container. In the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven. To maintain their crispiness.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Forfar Birdies Scottish Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tsps salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps beef or vegetable stock
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter cold and cut into small cubes
- 1 16 ounces package puff pastry or 1 (14 ounces) package empanada baking discs, thawed
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 440°F.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and beef stock. Gently fold in the cold, cubed butter. This step always fills the kitchen with a mouth-watering aroma.
- Prepare the Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into 6-inch circles, or use pre-cut empanada discs if you have them.
- Assemble the Pies: Place a generous spoonful of the beef mixture onto each pastry circle. Wet the edge with a little water. Fold it over to cover the filling. And press the edges with a fork to seal them. It’s like crafting delicious little packages!
- Brush and Vent: Brush the tops with beaten egg white for a shiny finish. Make a couple of small slits on top to let the steam escape while baking.
- Bake: Arrange the pies on a baking sheet and bake for 32-35 minutes. Until the pastry is golden brown. If they start to brown too quickly, cover them with foil halfway through. I love peeking into the oven to see them puff up and turn golden.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pies cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy them warm and savor the deliciousness!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
