1. Pasties (pronounced "pah-stees") are a combination of meat and vegetables wrapped in a flaky crust. The traditional recipe calls for round steak, potatoes, turnips or rutabaga, and onions. However some substitute carrots for rutabaga.
2. The Pasty has a shape like the letter "D" or a half moon. It is sometimes it is called a "Cousin Jack mouth organ" or "a Cornishman's harmonica" as a reference to its Cornish roots.
* The recipe I follow to make pasties is below.
Filling: 2lbs. round steak, chop into 1/4" cubes
5 large potatoes, peeled, chop into 1/4" cubes
1 small rutabaga, chop into 1/4" cubes
1 onion, finely chopped
1tsp. salt
1tsp. pepper
Dough: 4 cups sifted flour
2tsp. salt
1-1 1/2 cups shortening
10tsp ice water
Cut flour and salt into shortening until it is coarse. Add water and form into ball. Divide into 6 equal rolled balls. Dust with flour and put in plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour. Mix steak with vegetables, onion, salt & pepper. Roll each ball on floured surface to a 9" circle. Add 1-1 1/2 cups of filling to each circle. Fold over to create 1/2 moon shaped pies. Seal the edges and cut small slits in the top. Bake on a cookie sheet at 400F for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.
*The only part of the recipe that is difficult (in my opinion) is making the crust. Work the dough too much and it becomes tough. Work the dough not enough and it will not be strong enough to hold the filling.
