MINI GLUTEN-FREE BEEF PIES

MAKES 12. PREP 50 MINS. COOK 40 MINS INGREDIENTS

• 2 tsp olive oil

• 1 small brown onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 1 small carrot, finely chopped

• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped

• 200g lean beef mince

• 2 tsp gluten-free cornflour

• 1 tbsp gluten-free Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp gluten-free tomato sauce

• ⅔ cup Massel beef stock

• Gluten-free tomato sauce, to serve

PASTRY •

1 ½ cups (375g) warm, cooked mashed potato

• 50g butter, melted

• 1 ½ cups gluten-free plain flour

• 2 tsp gluten-free baking powder

• 1 tsp xanthan gum (see note)

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

METHOD

1 Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot and celery. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened. Add mince. Cook, stirring to break up mince, for 5 minutes or until browned.

2 Blend cornflour with Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce and stock in a small bowl. Add to pan. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Season with pepper. Cool.

3 Meanwhile, make pastry: Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan-forced. Combine warm, mashed potato and butter in a large bowl. Add flour, baking powder, xanthan gum and salt. Stir to combine. Add half the egg. Stir to combine. Turn on to a lightly floured surface. Knead pastry until smooth.

4 Wrap ⅓ of pastry in plastic wrap. Roll remaining pastry between 2 sheets of baking paper until

4mm thick. Using a 8.5cm round cutter, cut 12 rounds. Press rounds into a greased 12-hole, ⅓ cupcapacity muffin pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until crisp and golden. Cool. Spoon mince mixture into holes.

5 Roll remaining pastry between 2 sheets of baking paper until 4mm thick. Using a 7cm round cutter, cut 12 rounds from pastry. Place rounds over filling and press edge with a fork to seal. Brush tops with remaining egg. Using a small knife, cut two small slits in top of pies to allow steam to escape.

6 Bake for 15 minutes or until pastry is golden. Stand for 2 minutes. Carefully turn, top-side up, on to a wire rack. Serve.

Note: Xanthan gum is available from the health food section of large supermarkets and health food stores.

Recipe from taste.com.au