Natchitoches is Louisiana’s oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory, and you’ll find one of the state’s official food items,
the ‘Natchitoches Meat Pie’ as designated by the Louisiana State legislature. There is no shortage of meat pies around town and you’ll find the
famous ones at Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant, in business since 1967. Below is the “Official” Meat Pie recipe – try your hand, and then come taste the real deal in Natchitoches!
Ingredients
Meat Pie Filling
- 1 tsp. shortening
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 lb. ground pork meat
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped
- 1 pod garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- Salt, black pepper and red pepper to taste
- 1 tsp. flour
Meat pie crust
- plain flour
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ½ cup + 1 tbsp. shortening
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
Serves approximately 18
Meat pie filling: Melt shortening in heavy pot. Add meat. Cook until pink is gone. Add vegetables and season to taste. (Season well, as meat will lose seasoning during frying.) When meat is completely done and vegetables glazed, remove from heat and drain excess liquid. Stir in 1 tbsp. flour.
Meat pie crust: Sift dry ingredients together. Cut in shortening. Beat egg and add to milk. Work gradually into dry ingredients until proper consistency to roll. Break into small pieces and roll very thin. Cut into rounds using a saucer as a guide. To assemble, place a large tbsp. of prepared (completely cooled) meat along edge and halfway in the center of round dough. Fold the other half over, making edges meet and seal with water. Form edges with fork. Drop in deep fat and cook until golden brown. Drain and serve hot.
– Recipe courtesy of Mrs. L.J. Melder, Natchitoches, LA
