CORNISH BEEF PASTIES

Steps:

• Sift flour into a mound on a clean working surface.
• Shape flour into a large ring, forming a high wall.
• Place butter, vegetable shortening, cheese, salt and pepper in center of ring.
• Add half of the water and work into the central mixture with two table knives using cutting motions.
• Work the flour in carefully from the center of the ring, adding more water as needed.
• Mix until all the flour is added and the dough holds together.
• Gather dough into a ball and place in large plastic baggie, or place in bowl and cover with a towel.
• Refrigerate dough for at least one hour before using.
• Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness.
• Cut six, 6-inch circles from the pastry, marking the center of each lightly.
• Cook potatoes in boiling, salted water until crisp-tender, then drain.
• Spread 1/6 of potatoes over half of each pastry circle, leaving 1/2 inch at the edge to seal.
• Combine meat, onion, salt and pepper.
• Mix well.
• Spread 1/6 of meat mixture evenly over potatoes.
• Moisten the edge of each pastry circle with cold water.
• Bring unfilled pastry half over the filled side and pinch edges together firmly to seal.
• Place on greased baking sheet, sealed side up.
• Brush top of pasties with the egg.
• Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake about 25 minutes longer, or until well browned.