But, in honor of such a momentous occasion, let's look at a recipe that is oh so yummy, easy and cheesy to boot. I give you Cheese Hand Pies!
Cheese Hand Pies
Pastry Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
6 tbs butter cut into blocks
1/2 tsp salt
1 small egg, lightly beaten
3 1/2 tbs milk
2 tsp white vinegar
Filling Ingredients (**you can fill these with anything, like apples and butter!)
3/4 cup cottage cheese (drained)
1/2 cup smooth ricotta cheese
2 tsp finely grated Romano cheese
pinch salt & pepper
2 small eggs
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp milk
Directions
- To make the pastry, combine flour, butter and salt.
- Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it is crumbly.
- Add the eggs, milk, and then vinegar. Mix well until the dough forms a loose ball. Flatten it slightly.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- To make the pastry filling, mash the cheeses together.
- Mix in salt, pepper, paprika, and 1 egg.
- In a separate bowl, whip the remaining egg and 1 tsp of milk together to make a glaze.
- Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8" thick.
- Cut 4 inch rounds with a cookie cutter or a glass, cutting them as closely together as you can. Re-roll the scraps if you needed.
- Brush around the edges of the pastry circles with the glaze.
- Place about 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp of filling in the middle of each round, spreading it out lightly into an oval.
- Flip one half of the pastry over the filling to create a half circle.
- Press the edges together to seal them and then fold them up and over to make a lip. This will keep the cheese filling from leakingout. You may need to stretch the ends slightly to make them match up.
- Place the pies on the baking sheet and brush the tops with glaze.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until they are nicely browned on top and bottom. Let them cool slightly before eating, as they will be piping hot on the inside.
- Enjoy!
