Chorizo & Potato Grilled Hand Pies

Who doesn’t love a handheld pie? Portable, flaky crust, flavorful fillings – it’s one of life’s simple pleasures.

Prep time: 1 hr 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 2 hrs
Yield: 16 hand pies

 

Ingredients

• 4 puff pastry sheets
• 1 lb. chorizo
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 3 Yukon Gold potatoes
• 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 teaspoons chopped chives plus more for garnish
• 1/3 cup chopped dried apples or golden raisins
• Sour cream

Directions

1. Set out puff pastry sheets to thaw.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet. Brown the chorizo, stirring to a crumble.
3. Bring the potatoes to boil in salted water. Cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 min. Drain.
4. Peel, dice and smash the potatoes with a potato masher. They don’t need to be smooth, just crushed a little.
5. On a clean surface, roll out each sheet of puff pastry to an approximately 12″ x 15″ rectangle. Cut 3″ circles out of the puff pastry – I used the rim of a drinking glass as a cutter.
6. Preheat the panini grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Heat an oven or toaster oven to 250°F.
7. On half of the circles, add about 1 tablespoon potatoes, 1 tablespoon chorizo, 1 tablespoon cheese, 1 teaspoon dried apples and 1/4 teaspoon chives. Use your judgment – you want the pies to be full but not overstuffed. One at a time, pick up each remaining circle, dip your finger in some water and apply water to the outer edge of the circle. Place the circle, wet side down, on top of one of the circles with filling. Stretch the pastry a little if necessary, to cover the filling. Press around edges to seal the pie. Crimp the edges with a fork.
8. Once you’re done with 4 or 5 pies (or as many will fit comfortably on your grill) go ahead and start grilling. Carefully transfer the pies to the grill and close the lid so that the lid makes contact with the top of the pies without applying too much pressure. As the pastry bakes it will puff up and become a more even disc shape. Grill for 10-12 minutes until the pastry is puffed, fully baked (it will be quite brown in the center and pale golden around the edges). Keep the finished pies warm in the preheated oven or toaster oven while you grill remaining ones.
9. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a few snips of chives.