Irish Beef Hand Pies

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 head green cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 lb red potatoes, scrubbed and diced
• 1 lb ground sirloin
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• coarse salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• all-purpose flour, for rolling
• 2 pie crusts (9 inches each, homemade or store-bought)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400ºF.

2. 2

   In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium; add cabbage and potatoes.

3. 3

   Cook until beginning to brown, 7 to 9 minutes.

4. 4

   Add beef; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Stir in tomato paste, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), Worcestershire, thyme, and 1 cup water.

6. 6

   Cover, and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

7. 7

   Lightly mash mixture with a fork.

8. 8

   Season; salt, & pepper, to taste.

9. 9

   Crushed red pepper flakes, if using (optional)

10. 10

    Let cool completely.

11. 11

    On a lightly floured work surface, roll each crust into a 14-inch square; cut each into 4 equal squares.

12. 12

    Place 1/2 cup filling on one half of each square, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the filling; brush borders with water; fold dough over filling to enclose.

13. 13

    Crimp edges with a fork to seal.

14. 14

    With a paring knife or scissors, cut 3 small vents in each.

15. 15

    Transfer pies to 2 foil-lined rimmed baking sheets; bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.

16. 16

    *Arrange unbaked pies on a baking sheet (they should not touch); freeze until firm, about 1 hour.

17. 17

    Wrap each pie in foil & place in a resealable plastic bag; freeze up to 2 months.

18. 18

    To Bake from Frozen: Proceed increasing baking time to 28 to 30 minutes.