Australians love a meat pie; apparently, 260 million meat pies are eaten here each year. For a country with a population of just over 21 million, that’s a lot of pies!
A meat pie just wouldn’t be the same without some sort of pastry. Therefore, I thought it was time to give the Paleo treatment to the Aussie Meat Pie. The challenge was to create a crust that stayed true to Paleo principles while still being delicious and satisfying.
I took the meat pies along to a picnic in the sunshine this afternoon. I didn't even need to tell my non-Paleo friends that I hadn't used conventional ingredients – they got fantastic reviews, despite having only good ingredients!
There's something incredibly satisfying about making a classic dish healthier without sacrificing flavour. The almond meal crust provided a nutty, crunchy base that complemented the rich, meaty filling perfectly. Additionally, using grass-fed beef and homemade beef stock made the pies even more nutritious. FURTHERMORE, these pies are free from any artificial additives or preservatives, making them a wholesome choice.
The Great Aussie Meat Pie – Paleo Style
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- Saute Pan
- Paper cupcake cases
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 400 g Almond Meal
- 4 Eggs free range, organic, obviously
- 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
- Pinch of salt onion powder, garlic powder & any other herbs you fancy
For the Filling
- 500 g minced beef I always try to get grass fed
- 500 ml Beef Stock I made this a few weeks ago with lots of bones, and froze lots of batches
- 1 red onion only because I’d run out of brown onions, diced
- 1/2 Sweet potato diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 4 mushrooms
- Pinch Garlic powder salt, oregano & any other herbs you select
Instructions
- First, mix the crust ingredients together to form a big ball of dough.
- Next, roll the "pastry" out and form into paper cupcake cases, reserving about a third of the dough mixture for the lids. You should be able to make about eight individual pie cases, more if you roll it out a bit thinner.
- Cook these for ten minutes at 200°C until they become hard, but not golden.
- Meanwhile, sauté the onion in a spoonful of coconut oil, and add the minced beef after a couple of minutes. Once browned, add the sweet potatoes and carrots and let them cook for a few minutes.
- Add the stock, mushrooms, seasoning, and herbs. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until it has a good “pie” consistency.
- Take the filling off the heat and spoon it into the pie cases.
- Once filled to the top, roll out the remaining dough and cut it into lid shapes to match the cases.
- Put lids on all of the pies, forming a seal around the edges.
- Return the pies to the oven for another ten minutes, until they start to turn golden.
These Paleo meat pies turned out to be a hit at the picnic. The sweetness from the sweet potatoes and the earthiness from the mushrooms combined beautifully with the seasoned beef. The almond meal crust was a delightful alternative to traditional pastry, providing a satisfying crunch.
Have you given the Paleo treatment to any Australian or New Zealand dishes? It’s always fun to see how classic recipes can be transformed to fit a healthier lifestyle. I'd love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have!
By making these small adjustments, we can enjoy our favourite foods while sticking to our dietary preferences. Whether you’re Paleo or just looking for a healthier alternative, these meat pies are a great option. AFTER ALL, who says you can't enjoy a hearty meal and still maintain a healthy diet?
