Pasteis de Carne

Description
Fried pastries with meat filling

Pastry

 * 3 cups flour
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 10 tablespoons shortening, melted to lukewarm
 * 1/2 cup milk, mixed with
 * 1/2 cup hot water

Filling

 * 2 tablespoons oil
 * 1 Onion, chopped
 * 1 clove garlic, smashed
 * 2 tomatoes, peeled,seeded and chopped
 * 1 lb ground Beef
 * 1/2 teaspoon salt
 * 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
 * 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
 * 1/2 cup mozzarella Cheese, chopped
 * 8 green olives, chopped
 * oil (for deep frying)

Directions

 * 1) To prepare the pastry, sift the flour and salt into a bowl.
 * 2) Add the melted shortening and warm milk and water.
 * 3) Mix to a smooth dough and cut into 2 pieces.
 * 4) To prepare the filling, heat the oil in a frying pan, add the Onion and garlic and fry for 5 minutes until soft and golden.
 * 5) Add the tomatoes, ground Beef and salt.
 * 6) Simmer for 20 minutes until almost dry.
 * 7) Remove from the heat.
 * 8) Add the chopped parsley, egg, Cheese and olives and mix well.
 * 9) To assemble pastries, roll out the pastry on a floured board to 1/8 inch thickness.
 * 10) Cut 12, 4 inch circles from each piece, 24 circles.
 * 11) Place 1 tablespoon filling on each circle and moisten around the edge with warm water.
 * 12) Fold over and seal the edges well.
 * 13) Deep fry in preheated 375f degree oil for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and crisp.
 * 14) Remove with slotted spoon and drain on absorbent paper towel.
 * 15) The pastries are also delicious cold and make good picnic fare.
 * 16) They may also be made without the ground Beef.
 * 17) Variation to replace ground Beef, use finely chopped Ham, chopped Chicken, or Shrimp.