Natchitoches Meat Pies Recipe

Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder together into a large bowl. If you have a food processor, this goes quickly: pulse in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Slowly add this liquid mixture to the flour, stirring until a soft dough forms. Mix it well to ensure everything is combined.

Lightly brush the clean edges of the dough with a little warm water. Fold the empty half of the circle over the meat filling, aligning the edges to form a semi-circle. Press firmly to seal.

To crimp, fold the sealed edge in half upwards towards the meat, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Press this edge with the tines of a fork to create a decorative, secure seal. Repeat this process with all remaining dough and meat filling.