Shortcrust samsa with beef is the kind of bake that fills the whole kitchen with an irresistible buttery aroma. A tender sour-cream pastry wraps around juicy, spice-kissed beef and onion, baking up golden and flaky. If you love savory bakes like our savory egg and green onion pie or the cozy farmer cheese yeast pie, these hand pies will win you over.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 600 g (5 cups) flour
- 250 g (1 cup + 2 tbsp) margarine, softened
- 1 egg
- 150 g (2/3 cup) sour cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
For the filling:
- 500 g (1.1 lb) beef
- 1 onion
- Salt, pepper, paprika to taste
Instructions
- Mix the flour with salt and baking powder. Rub in the soft margarine to crumbs, add the sour cream and sugar, and knead into a dough. Divide, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
- For the filling, combine all ingredients.
- Roll out the dough, add the filling, and seal the edges. Place on a baking sheet, brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40 minutes.
Tips
Keep the margarine soft but not melted — that’s the secret to a truly short, crumbly crust. Chill the dough the full 30 minutes; cold dough is far easier to roll and seals better. Don’t skip the egg wash and sesame seeds — they give that gorgeous golden bakery finish. Serve warm with a fresh side like our crunchy cabbage cucumber salad, and read more about working with pastry dough at King Arthur Baking.
Nutrition (per 100 g): 124.5 kcal, protein 14.5 g, fat 2.9 g, carbs 12.3 g.