Guinness Beef Pies

It would be awfully fun to make these beef and Guinness hand pies that are cute as a leprechaun for St Patrick’s Day tomorrow. I baked a batch last night just to make sure they were as yummy as I remembered. Spoiler alert – they are.

Baked in a muffin tin the mini pies could be a perfect hand-held appetizer or plated with a salad and (my pick) potatoes for a feast. The best part is that the filling can be made even a day or two ahead and the whole thing assembled easily when you are ready. Ground beef, onions, carrots, and garlic get a sauté then tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, a little broth, and Guinness complete the filling. Cheese and puff pastry complete the recipe. Of course, you could make this all in a casserole dish, but the little pies are just so much fun. They popped right out of the muffin tins – no sticking and leftovers, if you are lucky enough to have any, heat right up in minutes. Really – who doesn’t have good luck on St. Patrick’s Day? Make these and make the day a celebration. And then make them any day – always delicious. Enjoy!

Guinness Beef Pies

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

2 tsp olive oil

½ onion chopped

1 small carrot, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

½ cup beef or chicken broth

6 oz Guinness (save a Tbsp)

1 tsp fresh or dried thyme

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 tsp cornstarch

½ cup grated cheddar (White cheddar is a nice touch)

1 box puff pastry (in frozen bread section of grocery)

Directions:

Cook ground beef in a Dutch oven or skillet in a tsp of olive oil until browned and remove to a plate.

Cook onions and carrots in 1 tsp olive oil until softened – about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and tomato paste and cook another 3 minutes.

Return beef to the pan and add broth, Worcestershire sauce, Guinness, thyme, salt and pepper, lower heat to simmer, cover and walk away for about 20 minutes.

Stir cornstarch and remaining Tbsp of Guinness (or water) together and stir into beef mixture.

Cook for another 20 minutes stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and cool completely before baking. (can do a day ahead)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.

Roll out and cut 12 larger circles (about 4 inches – doesn’t have to be perfect) and 12 small ones from 2 sheets of puff pastry.

Line muffin tins with larger circle of pastry, add about 2 Tbsp beef filling, a tsp of cheese and top with smaller circle of pastry.

Bake 18 – 20 minutes until lightly browned. Serve and enjoy the compliments!