Food and Literature February
Library books to read for New Zealand pictured above.
“New Zealand is a dream destination that lives up to the hype. Jaw-dropping landscapes,soaring mountains, sandy beaches, mossy forests, rolling vineyards, and majestic glaciers and fjords blanket the nation’s main North and South islands, located off the southeast coast of Australia. Matching the extraordinary backdrops are the indigenous Māori, whose legendary manaakitanga, or hospitality, imbues New Zealand with a welcoming vibe.”
🚸The education system in New Zealand is enormously diverse and one of the best in the world, maintaining excellent standards in literacy, mathematics and sciences and ranking well consistently by global standards. New Zealand education is also becoming increasingly international, influenced by wide employment markets and an increasingly mobile network of teaching staff, researchers and a well-travelled population of students. As of October 2023, The New Zealand education system is ranked 7th compared to other nations around the globe. Between the ages of 6 and 16, public education is compulsory. Public school is free and well-funded.
🇳🇿The islands of New Zealand were the last large habitable land to be settled by humans. Between about 1280 and 1350, Polynesians began to settle in the islands and then developed a distinctive Māori culture. In 1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight and record New Zealand, it was the British who made New Zealand part of their empire, by colonization…
💕In 1893 New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote. Old-age pensions were introduced in 1898. New Zealand became renowned as a social laboratory.
🇳🇿Originally part of the Australian colony of New South Wales, New Zealand became a separate colony in 1841 and was made self-governing in 1852. Dominion status was attained in 1907, and full independence was granted in 1931 and ratified by New Zealand in 1947.
👩🏻🍳I plan to cook a New Zealand traditional pie.
☕️The most popular coffee in New Zealand is the flat white. A flat white is made with a double shot of espresso and steamed milk.
FOOD
Mince and Cheese Pie Ingredients by RECIPES BY CARINA
2 Garlic Cloves
1 tsp Oil
500g / 1lb Beef Mince / Ground Beef – Lean beef can be used here but the fat gives the pies flavour.
3 tsp Dijon Mustard – Any kind of mustard can be substituted here if you don’t have dijon on hand.
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbsp Soy Sauce – Soy sauce is mostly used in asian style dishes but it gives these pies so much salty savoury flavour!
1/2 tsp Pepper – No salt is needed as the worcestershire and soy sauce are very salty.
1/3 Cup Flour
2 Cups / 500ml Beef Stock
1/4 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese – Any cheese can be used in these pies so definitely use what you have on hand. To up the flavour add some blue cheese!
1/4 Cup Grated Mozarella Cheese
2 Sheets Frozen Butter Puff Pastry – Frozen Puff Pastry works great in this recipe but you can alternatively use homemade puff or ruff puff pastry.
How to Make Mince and Cheese Pie
Beef Mince Filling
Heat a frypan over medium heat. I like to use a cast iron skillet but any type of frypan will work here. Add the oil and crushed garlic while the frypan is heating up and cook for a few minutes.
Turn the heat to high and add in the beef mince. Use a wooden spoon to break it up and cook for a few minutes until browned.
Turn the heat to low and add the mustard, Worcestershire, soy sauce and pepper. Sprinkle over the flour and stir to combine, cook for a further few minutes.
Pour in half the beef stock and stir, the filling should start to thicken immediately. Pour in the other half and continue to mix together. Simmer the filling on a low heat for about 30 minutes to an hour to thicken. Cool before using in the pie.
Assembling the Pies
Roll out 2 sheets of frozen puff pastry that have been thawed (or alternatively you can make your own) and cut out 4 rounds out of each to fit your pie pans.
Place the pastry into each of the pie pans and divide the cooled beef mince filling between the four pies. Top with the shredded cheese.
Place the tops onto the pies and fold the overhang of pastry from the bottom over top to seal in the filling. Cut a steam hole into the top of the pies so the steam can escape during baking.
For best results place them into the fridge for about 30 mins to chill. Chilling the pies before baking them in the oven leads to a more crisp and flaky pastry!
Baking the Pies
Place the chilled pies into a 200C / 400F oven for 20-25 mins or until golden brown. Let the pies cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
