Polish Pasties (Paszteciki)

Instructions

1. 1

   Sift Flour and Salt Together

   5 min

   In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly sift 1 cup of flour along with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. This aerates the flour and ensures an even distribution of salt throughout the mixture, which is crucial for flavor development.

2. 2

   Prepare Egg Yolk

   3 min

   Take a spoon and carefully push the egg yolk through a fine sieve, allowing it to fall into the flour mixture. This technique helps to create a smoother dough by breaking down any lumps in the yolk.

3. 3

   Incorporate Raw Egg

   4 min

   Add 1 raw egg into the bowl with the flour and yolk mixture. Mix everything together thoroughly until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture appears homogeneous.

4. 4

   Add Butter Gradually

   6 min

   Begin to incorporate 5 tablespoons of butter into the mixture, adding one tablespoon at a time. Beat the dough after each addition until the butter is fully integrated and the dough starts to come together.

5. 5

   Knead and Chill Dough

   8 min

   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it until it feels smooth and elastic, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Once ready, wrap the dough in waxed paper and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow it to firm up.

6. 6

   Sauté Onions and Rutabaga

   8 min

   In a heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup of onion and 1/2 cup of rutabaga, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent, which indicates they are ready for the next step.

7. 7

   Grind Meat Mixture

   9 min

   Using a meat grinder, pass the sautéed onions, rutabaga, and 1/2 lb of beef brisket through twice for a finely textured filling. If you don’t have a grinder, chop the ingredients finely with a knife instead, ensuring a consistent mix.

8. 8

   Cook Meat Mixture

   15 min

   In the same skillet, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the ground meat mixture and cook it on low heat, stirring occasionally until the liquid evaporates and the mixture thickens, which should take about 10-15 minutes.

9. 9

   Cool and Season Filling

   5 min

   Remove the skillet from heat and let the filling cool down. Once cooled, stir in 1 egg along with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper to season the mixture well.

10. 10

    Preheat Oven

    1 min

    Set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pasties. This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when the pasties are ready to go in.

11. 11

    Roll Out Chilled Dough

    12 min

    On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle measuring approximately 13x8 inches and about 1/8 inch thick. Ensure the dough is even to achieve uniform cooking later.

12. 12

    Prepare to Fill Dough

    3 min

    Spoon the cooled filling along the center of the rolled-out dough rectangle, leaving about 1 inch of space at both ends. This space is crucial for sealing the pasties properly.

13. 13

    Seal Edges with Water

    3 min

    Lightly brush the long edges of the dough with cold water to help seal the pasties. Fold one side of the dough over the filling, then bring the other side over the top to encase the filling completely.

14. 14

    Seal Short Ends

    3 min

    Brush the short ends of the dough with cold water as well, then fold them over to securely seal the filling inside. This prevents any leakage during baking.

15. 15

    Prepare for Baking

    4 min

    Place the pasties seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the top of each pasty with the remaining 2 beaten eggs for a nice golden finish once baked.

16. 16

    Bake Pasties

    46 min

    Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. The pasties are ready when they turn a beautiful golden brown color, indicating they are cooked through.

17. 17

    Slice and Serve

    5 min

    Once baked, remove the pasties from the oven and slice them diagonally into 1.5-inch pieces. Serve warm as a delightful appetizer or alongside your favorite soup for a hearty meal.

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