Natchitoches Meat Pies

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 onion , chopped
• 1 pound bulk pork sausage
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 pinch garlic powder
• 1 package store-bought refrigerated pie dough , 15 ounce
• 1 quart vegetable oil for deep frying

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; whisk in flour, and cook until flour turns from white to a nutty brown color, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onion and cook until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add meats and brown until no longer pink, 10 to 12 minutes; stir in Cajun seasoning and garlic powder; drain fat. Cool to room temperature.

2. 2

   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Use a 5 inch diameter round cookie cutter or cut around a saucer to make a round of dough. Place a heaping tablespoon of meat filling in the center of each round. Fold dough over filling and seal edges closed by pressing with a fork or fingers. Repeat to make 15 pies, re-rolling dough scraps as needed.

3. 3

   Heat oil for frying in deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

4. 4

   Deep fry pies in small batches until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Or bake pies on greased cookie sheets in preheated 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.