These Savory Pork & Onion Hand Pies are so cute, but they're also totally delicious. With a pinch of cheddar and a spoonful of gravy, this self-contained snack is picnic perfection.
I generally don't believe you should perform magick on someone without their consent. The unintended consequences of meddling with someone's free will are just more than I'm willing to take responsibility for. Kitchen magick, though, is sort of a grey area. If I set a positive intention while I'm preparing food, and then you eat it, you're going to ingest that energy.
However, the vibration that's created with you will be based on a variety of factors from your own experience. From your personal food preferences to your specific sensory memories, certain foods will invoke certain responses, no matter how much love I poured into the cooking of them. So in a way, my spell is set when I place the food on the table, and it's just one of the many ingredients you'll experience while eating. How you mix those ingredients with your own energy field is entirely up to you.
What makes Savory Pork & Onion Hand Pies so awesome?
I certainly hope these Savory Pork & Onion Hand Pies make you feel delighted and deeply satisfied. With seasoned ground pork, tender sweet onion, a pinch of gooey cheese, and a spoonful of flavorful gravy all wrapped in a flaky crust, it's a handful of awesomeness. One is a perfect little party snack, while three or four with a pile of mashed potatoes and steamed veggies is a delicious dinner.
I'd definitely make these for a party or picnic. I think they could be awesome for a post-hayride autumn gathering or as part of a game day spread. They'd be popular for all ages as you can grab and go, but they're also sort of adorable, so they'd be good for a coven gathering or a baby shower.
Magical Properties of Nutmeg
One of the spices that brings so much awesome flavor to these hand pies is nutmeg. This ingredient has been around for centuries, so naturally, it has a magical history. Nutmeg is a prosperity spice, and it can also bring good fortune, happiness, and love. You can also use nutmeg to strengthen you psychic senses. Add a whole nutmeg to a charm bag to call in more money or attract a romantic partner.
For more information on the magical ingredients of this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.
Ingredients
Here's everything you'll need to make these pies. The full details are in the recipe card below.
- Olive oil - or whatever oil you normally cook with
- Onion
- Ground pork - You'll only need about half a pound for this, but you're unlike to be able to buy it in that quantity. Keep reading for how to work around this.
- Nutmeg - freshly ground is awesome, but only if you already have whole nutmeg
- Mustard powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Pie dough - aka shortcrust pastry; you can make your own but you definitely don't need to
- Gravy - your favorite store bought variety is easiest
- Cheddar cheese - shredded
- Egg - to make an egg wash
Tips for making Savory Pork & Onion Hand Pies
Chances are high that your supermarket sells ground pork by the pound, but you won't need that much for your pies. If that's the case, I highly recommend doubling the ingredients that go into the ground pork mixture. Cook up all your onion and ground pork, fill you pies, and save the rest for another dish such as Pork Puff Pastry Pockets.
Basically, you'll sautee your diced onion until softened, then add in the ground pork and seasonings and cook through. You can do this part ahead of time if you like and store it in the fridge. Once you have your pork cooked, though, it's basically just assembly.
Cut circles (or whatever shape you like) into your pie dough, add a spoonful of pork, a pinch of shredded cheese, and a dollop of gravy to each on, then brush a bit of beaten egg around the outside edge before placing the lid on and sealing. I like to cut a little five-pointed star into the top of each one for a vent, but I just happen to have something that makes that shape. A simple crossed slit would do fine as well.
Then brush the top of each pie with egg wash. If you want to get fancy, you can sprinkle on a bit of flaky sea salt and dried thyme before baking them in a hot oven until golden and crisp around the edges.
These Savory Pork & Onion Hand Pies are a great vehicle of delicious food as well as good vibrations. I hope you give them a try.
Looking for more awesome recipes with ground pork? Try these Mini Pork Pies or some Pork Puff Pastry Pockets.
PrintSavory Pork & Onion Hand Pies
These Savory Pork & Onion Hand Pies are so cute, but they're also totally delicious. With a pinch of cheddar and a spoonful of gravy, this self-contained snack is picnic perfection.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ onion, chopped
- ½ pound (250 grams) ground pork
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 sheets refrigerated pie dough, or your favorite recipe
- 8 tablespoons gravy (use your favorite)
- 8 tablespoon shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 egg, beaten
- Flaky sea salt and dried thyme for topping, optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, heat the oil, then add the onion and cook for about five minutes until the onion begins to soften. Add the pork, nutmeg, mustard powder, and Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked through. You can do all of this a few days ahead of time and store the cooked meat in a sealed container in the fridge. Use leftovers from another recipe if you have them.
- Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C)
- Roll out your pie dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut 16 circles, about four inches in diameter. I was able to get 8 circles out of each sheet by re-rolling the scraps a couple of times.
- Place eight circles onto a parchment lined baking sheet or two. Add a big spoonful of pork and onion to each circle. Add a pinch of cheese and a large spoonful of gravy onto each pile of meat.
- Use your finger to trace some beaten around the edge of each dough circle, then place a second circle on top and press the dough together around the edges with a fork.
- Brush beaten egg over the top of each pie, then use a sharp knife to cut a couple of vents into the top of each one. Sprinkle with sea salt and dried thyme if you like.
- Bake for 15 minutes for a sturdy, but softer dough, or 20 minutes for a more crispy pie.
- Allow the pies to cool for at least 10 minutes. The insides will be very hot. These are also great at room temperature.
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