Tuesday, February 23, 2010

MUSHROOM PIE


Here are some not so pretty pies that I made. Hunks. But they taste so good that I had to post. (The one in the picture above is one of the better ones).

An odd thing about this pie is that it has a front and a rear end. It's twice the size of a curry puff, is not quite a semi circle, is not a round, is not a square nor is it a rectangle. It has an unname-able odd shape. And they're not exactly dainty either.


I used to see these gorgeous hunks whenever the Chinese roti man in a van came honking around in the evenings in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. They were handsomer than mine. The pies.

These are pies or turnovers made with a particular Chinese pastry recipe that I had scribbled down in haste from a tv show while pacifying my year old daughter at the time. A precious layered crust as delicate and as flaky and soft as a thousand year old stack of parchments newly dug from an archeological site Somewhere.

I went through 2 trials to get the crust and shape to look somewhat presentable. It is made up of 2 types of dough. One enclosed in the other and then rolled out. Some lightness of hand is required here to avoid the inside dough from leaking out. 


Often these pastries are filled with kaya, a rich delicious Malaysian coconut jam or a sweet bean paste or a savoury mushroom filling. I chose  the latter.

The filling was delicious, if I have to say so myself. I made it loosely based on the original mushroom filling recipe. I had used button mushrooms the first time and the second time around I used a combo of shitake and enoki mushrooms.

It was simply delicious. My children and even my husband who isn't inclined to play food were nodding with pleasure and I heard some mmmm-hmmmms from crammed mouths of crust.



There aren't a million pictures in this post because I couldn't get any decent pictures, my motivation dying little deaths at each click. 


I have to tell you that I took some shots of the filling as in a dramatic quaking of the pie with the filling spilling out theatrically onto the plate. Well that looked even worse so I'm not posting the pic lest I disgrace myself. 

I know these photos are not going to make it pass Foodgawker or Tastespotting with whom I have a love hate realationship going.

But let me insist that it was GOOD!


The recipe ~

The pastry....

Dough (A)

240 gm bread flour
120 gm shortening
45 gm castor sugar
4 T cold water
1 tsp lime juice or lemon juice (I used apple cider vinegar because that was  what I had)


Dough (B)
90 gm plain flour
70 gm shortening


Sift the flours seperately in seperate bowls. For dough A put in teh sugar, a little less if you prefer, mix it then add the shortening and using a pastry cutter or 2 knifes cut into the fat and flour until the mixture becomes a coarse meal. Then using your fingers rub until fine like breadcrumbs. Pour in teh liquids and bring the dough together gently until it becomes a smooth mound. Leave to rest for 15 to 20 minutes.


For dough B, add the fat into the flour and using a metal or wooden spoon stir to mix until it becomes a paste and, lightly, using your fingers bring the dough together. This dough is more paste like than dough like.


After resting, divide both doughs inot 10 equal pieces. 


Roll out one piece of dough A into a small thick circle about 21/2 inches in diameter and place a ball of dough B in the centre. Bring up the edges of dough A and scrunch it up at the top, squeeze to seal and roll gently into a smooth ball. Roll out into a longish oval about 5 inches long and 21/2 inches across. Be careful not to let the inside dough leak out. A little tricky.


Place a small mound of filling on one half of the oval leaving 1 cm clean around the edges. Wipe some egg white around the half the edges and turn over the other half of the dough , seal and crimp with your fingers or use a fork. Place on a lined baking tray. Do the same for the rest of the dough and filling.


Brush the tops of the pies with egg yolk. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 C for 25 - 30 minutes.


The filling.......


250 gm of any combination of mushrooms, brushed clean and stalks removed if necessary and sliced,
120 gm of thinly shredded beef or other meat
1/2 large white onion
3 cloves garlic
2 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp cornflour

1 tsp balsamic vinegar
some chives, chopped 1 inch lengths
salt
black pepper
cooking oil


Marinate the beef with the soy sauce, sugar and cornflour. Keep aside.


Slice onion and garlic. Heat pan and add 1 -2 T cooking oil. Saute onion and garlic till soft. Add mushrooms and saute about 3-4 minutes. Dont let the mushrooms soften too much.

Add the marinated beef, salt, black pepper and stir until the beef is cooked, probably about 4-5 minutes on medium heat. Put in balsamic vinegar and adjust seasoning if necessary. If there is some thin juice in the mixture mix 1 tsp of cornflour with a little water and add to mix and heat until the sauce thickens. Allow to completely cool before use.









48 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

I know we would like these..your braids are perfect:)

I think your photos are edible and your prose exquisitely charming~
I cannot "mince" my words☺

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

Zurin, who needs the endorsement of FG or TS to tell us whether our photos are good (or otherwise)? The fact that some pics get into FG and not TS, or vice versa just tells us that they too, have inconsistent standards! Ha! Well, this is a "taste good" dish, so we'll not care about the "look perfect" bit (that one is reserved for candied kumquats on orange cheesecake). I think the pies look delish! Who wouldn't eat and nod along in bliss?

Quinn said...

Zurin, it doesn't matter if FG or TS accept it, we all know it's good because you said so. Though, I have to admit I'm a little put off by the long instructions. You think I can cheat and use a pasta maker to roll it out if I were to make a small batch of this???? I hate rolling out, the inner dough always,never fail to leak out. Any preventive tricks???

Zurin said...

Hello ladies...so nice to hear from you all...esp sweet words ~

Quinn, LOL yes I get put off by instructions myself!! Thats why I stay home n dont work for anyone! well.... almost..

no short cuts m afraid the dough is soo delicate I was frustrated myself.. just make these when your in an exceptionally good mood and feeling very gentle and tender ~ I hope that helps heehee..

Tasty Italian Cook said...

Those look delicious to me! Very savory sounding, too... Does the dough lend itself to other types of fillings? Or should this be considered a "dinner"-type dough?

Zurin said...

Tasty Italian Cook, ^^ tq for dropping by! you could use this with any filling .sweet or savoury. sometimes here its filled with a sweet red bean paste or a sweet coconut jam which is yummy too. hope that helps.^^

Cheah said...

Zurin, as long as they taste good, don't bother how they look! The taste is testimony that they're yummy!

Trendsetters said...

Those pies are just perfect even though u think otherwise...hats off to ur patience to go thru such a long recipe

ann low said...

I'll eat it first as long as it is delicious :)

Federica Simoni said...

ciao meravigliosa questa pasta ripiena!!!!mmmmmm..... me ne mandi un vassoio??? :))) complimenti

3 hungry tummies said...

who cares lol they looks good and I can tell they taste even better!

Sanjana said...

I think they look fantastic! :) Look at those pretty plaits along the edges of the pies... adorable and neatly done! Meh, who cares if food donesn't look good as long as it tastes good, no? I would love to try this without the meat (perhaps I could substitute it with soya mince?) All in all, I think you did a wonderful job :)

Sook said...

Oh these are so beautiful!

fimere said...

tes mushroom pie sont jolis avec une bordure tressée ça doit être savoureux mes compliments

Barbara said...

Your pastry recipe looks divine! You did a beautiful job with the little pies. They're almost like pasties, aren't they?
And mushrooms! My favorite.
Might be fun to use a cherry filling....after all, it's in your blog name!

Marysol said...

Ok, I totally see Garfield in the first photo.
I'm kidding, of course!

For the record, I've also had similar issues trying to photograph certain foods.
However, in my opinion, pies are supposed to look golden, flaky and deliciously-tempting.
And Zurin, it looks like you have accomplished all three!

Angie's Recipes said...

I care more about the taste than the shape. :-) They look very tempting!
Coconut filling would be nice too!
I stopped sending entries to tastespotting and foodgawker long time ago......enough said.

pigpigscorner said...

Who cares! They look really good to me! So everly coloured and the filling sounds yum!

Ozoz said...

They have MY stamp of approval...anyday. They pastry looks perfect!!!!!!! Wow.

[Rhiannon][Wretchdz] said...

These look fantastic, filling and tasty!

I would love to make these and team it up some steamed vegetables and a bottle of Merlot.

Mmmmm Yes I am making it for my family very soon.



...I'm also a terrible mushroom addict so I will probably have to make double :)

Passionate About Baking said...

Aw Zurin, I know the kaya puffs. This looked so much like those. I would really like to see the inside of the puffs! Heehee... Mushroom is my favourite food and this looked and sounds perfect for me! I wish I can get this outside, I've not seen this yet. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I shall attempt it when I have the whole day to myself! ;)

Faida said...

emmm..... I could judge from the look. I believe they are yummy especially for evening tea.

Linda said...

Zu those pies look magnificent! I could not care less about the opinions of TS or FG...Their endorsement does not sway me one way or the other as far as good food goes...it is the food that matters.
I can tell they are delicious...and I would love to bite into one right this minute...
The very fact of your saying how delicious they were is more than enough for me...
L~xo

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

If possible, I would love to have a look of the filling, whether the photos are good or not, so long it taste good, who cares! Anyway, look at these pie, I feel hungry already since I have yet to take lunch..hehehe..Will try this out when I have a very good mood,ok.Thanks for kind sharing.

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Zu, sod TS and FG! I have my same share of frustration with them and I agree with Ju, they are quite inconsistent! I would be proud to have my pie look like yours...and mushroom filling is one of my favourite! Too bad you did not show any photos of the filling but I also understand what you mean by "motivation dying little deaths with each click" - so well put and I totally relate to that! :)

Cakebrain said...

I so hear you on the tastespotting and foodgawker area. I sometimes feel as if I should boycott both of them, but I can't resist the urge to look because sometimes I find cool sites. ah well. You pie looks delish! It reminds me of the cornish pasties I make. I like savoury hand pies way more than sweet ones.

Hélène (Cannes) said...

Those pies look delicious ! I'll try this filling. I love mushrooms !
Have a good day !
Hélène

tracieMoo said...

It's been awhile since I had mushroom pie. It reminds me of being in secondary school! Mum brings me to the bakery and it's the first thing I pick up to pack for school! Thanks for reminding me. I would definitely make this, Zurin!

chow and chatter said...

wow it looks amazing, miss pies they have lots in the UK

Mary Bergfeld said...

I think your pies look and sound delicious. There are some dishes that don't lend themselves to photography. Don't stress. We know if you publish it the dish is delicious.

Kate at Serendipity said...

Oh, Zurin, you've done it again. These look amazing. I think that pastry is very hard to photograph, and IMHO yours are veryvery beautiful. Thanks for posting this!

diva said...

GAH! I knew not to come visit. I just had a craving for pie and then I popped over. But dang, if these were kaya filled turnovers I'd be crying on the floor now because of serial cravings. ;) x

Nadia said...

ohhh sounds like how they make karipap pusing...i tried that once...ughhh....if you end up with non photogenic ones...i don't think i even want to try LOL..mine 'll be worse LOL

2 Stews said...

Some things are soooo hard to photograph, but I can almost taste their deliciousness ;-) I think these look perfect to me, golden and skillfully prepared. I'm glad your family enjoyed them, I think we will, too!

Thanks.......Diane

Tiago Lopes said...

looks good fantastic.....

terri@adailyobsession said...

oh nyumnyumnyum...you can afford to eat all those pastry, you svelte woman!

Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said...

Zurin I stopped submitting to TS and FG as I got so completely frustrated by them that I thought "I don't need them" and I don't. And it's one less aggravation for the day lol. these look delicious!

Pam said...

Oh, mushrooms are perfect and I'm always looking for new recipes using them. It looks great! Thanks!

Tasty Trix said...

FG and TS do indeed have inconsistent ideas about what looks good! One day the love a stew, the next day they just say "ew." Oh well. I think these pies look great - a nice shiny crust, and big and hearty - the way a mushroom pie should be!

Anh said...

Oh my, I have been looking around for mushroom pie recipes for a while and yours is just perfect!! I will make it soon.

Divina Pe said...

I love mushroom pie. They're better made at home than buying it because when I buy then, there's a lot of other ingredients but only small amounts of mushrooms. I used to submit my photos to FG or TS but I stopped. I guess it's also additional work for me and probably because I don't want to expect too much. The taste is most important, I'm sure they are.

Elin Chia said...

Zurin..I can see that it is a perfect piece of pie....you make me drool and salivate !

Anonymous said...

Very good looking pies! Your photos are always fantastic :)

Anonymous said...

seriously, who cares about looks when it tastes awesome?
i'd gladly have some now. shall i email you my address? :P
heheheh. love the braids though!
id probably not be able to do it.
thanks for sharing anyway!

MaryMoh said...

I love these puffs...look perfect to me. They do have the shape of kaya puffs. I love the mushroom filling. Thanks for sharing. I would love t try this.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

These look scrumptious to me! I've been overdosed on sugar lately and really craving good savory recipes. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Arti said...

lovely pics... want to have a bite of them...ymmm!!!

www.myyatradiary.blogspot.com

Trissa said...

Zurin, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - I think they look just fine! In fact, looking at them is making me hungry. I love the idea of the filling too!

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