Meat Pie (Australia)

World-Bites (31) / Meat Pie

The Australian diet has been heavily influenced by peoples from all over the world. The Potato Famine of the 1840s in Ireland led many desperate starving Irish people to leave their homeland, seeking relief in Australia . Gold was discovered in Australia a few years later, bringing more people to the country. Following World War II (1939–45), Europeans and Asians arrived in greater numbers. As a result, cuisines from other countries, such as Italy, Greece, and Lebanon, became popular. Meat pie, with dozens of recipe variations, is considered the Australian national dish.

Ingredients

* 2 pounds ground meat
* 1 cup ketchup
* 1 cup onion, chopped
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup milk
* ⅔ cup bread crumbs
* 1 teaspoon oregano
* ½ teaspoon pepper
* 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
* 2 prepared pie shells, 8-inch

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine ground meat, ketchup, onion, salt, milk, breadcrumbs, oregano, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Mix well.
4. Divide mixture into 2 pie shells and bake for about 45 minutes.
5. While the pies are baking, mix together Worcestershire sauce and cheese in another bowl.
6. After about 45 minutes, remove pies from oven.
7. Spread Worcestershire sauce and cheese mixture on top of pie shells.
8. Bake for about 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.