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Natchitoches Meat Pies

Emeril Lagasse

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2001

Show: The Essence of EmerilEpisode: Lard

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (9)

  • Cook Time:

    45 min

  • Level:

    Intermediate

  • Yield:

    12 pies

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Times:

Prep
30 min
Inactive Prep
--
Cook
45 min
Total:
1 hr 15 min
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Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

For the pastry:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 6 tablespoons lard
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water)
  • Solid vegetable shortening, for deep-frying

Directions

In a large skillet heat oil and cook beef and pork, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onions, bell peppers, celery, salt, Essence, cayenne, and black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are wilted, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Dissolve the flour in the water and add to the meat mixture. Stir until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the green onions. Mix well and let cool.

In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Cut in the lard until mixture resembles coarse meal. In a small bowl, beat the egg with the milk. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, working it to make a thick dough. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each portion of dough into a thin round about 5 inches in diameter. Place about 1/4 cup of meat filling in the center of each round and brush edges lightly with egg wash. Fold edges together and crimp closed with a fork.

Heat shortening in a deep pot or electric deep-fryer to 360 degrees F. Fry the pies, in batches, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

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Read more Comments & Reviews (9)

Comments & Reviews

  • recipe Natchitoches Meat Pies
    BRANDY So. Charleston, WV 12-25-2008

    Flag

    Long way from home.

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I grew up in Louisiana but now live very far away. This recipe was wonderful and was a great visit home with the first bite.... Thanks so much Emeril for a fantastic recipe!Read more
  • recipe Natchitoches Meat Pies
    pamela schertz, TX 02-25-2008

    Flag

    Outstanding! Emeril

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I love the recipes that Emeril cooks. Me and my husband watch him on foodnetwork. We both are from Shreveport Louisiana so we... love cajun cooking.I love Natchitoches Meat Pies oRead more
  • recipe Natchitoches Meat Pies
    Anonymous 12-30-2006

    Flag

    Outstanding

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    These were absolutely excellent!!! I used green and red bell peppers because that is what I had in the fridge. Instead of... vegetable shortening to fry in which is a trans fat oil, I used the rest of the lard and filled it up with peanut oil. My grandmother used lard all her life and she lived to be 98 and it was not from her health but an accident. Anyway, lard is a natural fat. According to my book on fats that heal, it was saying that lard is better for you than butter. This was an excellent recipe Emeril and the crust was so flaky. I will make this over and over.Read more
  • recipe Natchitoches Meat Pies
    traci evansville, IN 09-03-2006

    Flag

    jamacian meat pies like i use to make!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    this is the best meat pie recipe ever out standint! id give it a 200 !
  • recipe Natchitoches Meat Pies
    Kelly Kingwood, TX 07-24-2006

    Flag

    Finally found a good recipe for these!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    My thanks to Emeril - we are Katrina transplants to Texas and I was jonesing for some of the good homemade meat pies I used... to enjoy in LA - tried several different recipes before hitting this one - EXCELLENT and JUST like the roadside vendors made! These pies for us started as a tradition when my dad would bring them back from business trips - he always stopped to pick some up for us, and now I can bring them to my kids - a little bit of home right out of my Texas kitchen! Thanks, Emeril!Read more
  • recipe Natchitoches Meat Pies
    Darla Clinton, OK 05-18-2006

    Flag

    Meat Pies

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    They are fantastic. Really easy to make. My grandsons can help make them by putting the meat in & they really enjoying... helping. The taste is awsome.Read more
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