Ingredients:
for the filling:
1 lb flank steak, small cubes
3 tablespoons brown sauce*
1 cup diced Yukon Gold potatoes
1 small onion, diced
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

for the dough:
4 cups flour
1 1/3 cup cold butter, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
10-16 tablespoons ice water
freshly ground black pepper
sea salt

egg wash:
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.

For the filling: Mix together the sauce and meat. Refrigerate 30 minutes or up to overnight. Add to a medium bowl, stir together the meat, onion and potatoes. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the dough: Place the pepper, butter, flour and cheddar into a food processor. Add water one tablespoon at a time and pulse just until mixture sticks together. Divide the dough into 12 parts. Roll each out into a 6-8 inch round. Fill with 2-3 tablespoons of the meat filling (centered) and top with about 2 tablespoons of Stilton.

Fold in half. Dampen the edge and crimp shut along the side, not the top! Brush with egg wash. Place on lined baking sheets and bake 60 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Yield: 12 pasties

*aka HP Sauce. Look for it the British or International section of the supermarket.

My thoughts:

This in no way a traditional Cornish Pasty (a protected food!) but my take on some of the pasty variations one can find at pasty shop (pastyeries?) around England.I made a dough with British cheddar (did you know that cheddar originated in Somerset, England?) and another protected food, Stilton (which always makes me think of Chef!) The result? A crispy, flaky hand pie with a robust, flavorful center. Perfect for lunch.

I’m part of a small group of bloggers who will be posting regional dishes as part of Bravo’s “Around the World in 80 Plates” premiering Wednesday May 9th at 10/9c. The show features chefs from all over the US racing through cities across the country and taking over restaurants to serve their version of the native cuisine. This week’s show takes place in London. Check out their Facebook page and see pictures of what other bloggers are up to and to learn more about the show. I caught a preview of the first episode and it looks fun!