An Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
An Old Flask and Childhood Memories:
Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
An Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
I remember many picnics throughout my life, both as an adult and a child; and, when my parents offered to give me an old Thermos flask recently, for food styling, as soon as I saw which one it was, the memories just came flooding back……I can’t remember exactly how old this old flask is, and my parents are pretty vague about its age too, but, I can remember vividly when and where we used it as a family. My first memory of this flask was when I was very little, pre-school, in Hong Kong; we went out for picnics nearly every week, usually when my dad wasn’t working, and our favourite picnic spot was on Tai Mo Shan mountain, in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Even today, when I close my eyes sometimes, I can still feel the hot breeze on my face and the rustle of dry grass as if I was back there all those years ago……..and then there would be that semi-drowsy moment when mum (or dad) would call me and my sister to eat, and I would get up from my lazy “cloud watching” position and race over to see what lovely home-made treats mum had made and packed.
Me, in South Africa on the left, starting school in Hong Kong in the middle and on a picnic in Hong Kong on the right
As soon as the main picnic was over, mum would take out some home-made cake and we would all have a cup of sweet, hot tea from this old flask.All battered and without a proper cup now, this Thermos flask could tell a tale or two, and all of them happy I think. It’s scuffed exterior and dented base are happy family stories and memories…….and, although I don’t take sugar in my tea now, I can still taste the sweet tea that was poured from this flask and can remember how grown up I felt being allowed to drink tea with my parents! This flask also has a bit of class and history; when I was researching the company “Thermos” recently, for another post,Hot Spanish Soup that’s Chilled! Flamenco “100 Calorie” Gazpacho Soup Recipe, I came across the very same flask as exhibited at the V and A museum in London! It would appear that my parents were at the cutting edge of 1950’s style and had picked a bit of a style icon, in the vacuum flask world!
Old Thermos Flask: I have this exact flask, but this photo is from the V & A
But, back to my recipe for today, Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties, this is just the sort of recipe that mum would have made for one of our family picnics, and they are my favourite type of pies.These little pasties are my most requested pie recipe, after mySausage Plait with Sage and Onionand Cornish Pasties recipes. They are made with mashed potatoes, onions, mature Farmhouse Cheddar cheese and a smidgen of English mustard powder as the main seasoning. They are perfect for picnics and lunch boxes, as well as family lunches and suppers.
An Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
You can freeze these pasties once baked, although I think they are better frozen before they are baked. You can use any cheese of your choice, but for me the best cheese for flavour and punch, is a good mature Farmhouse Cheddar cheese. I made a batch of these other day and I just had to show off my lovely old Thermos flask, as you can see in the photos……it’s such a shame the cup was lost and the stopper is loose, so there is no vacuum, but, I am keeping it as a tangible reminder of what a happy childhood I had, and its presence reminds me of many family picnics, in England and abroad.
An Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
I hope you enjoy the recipe if you make it, and do let me know if you make these cheesy little pasties. Is there an item of kitchenalia that brings back memories for you, or maybe a recipe? Do share your memories below, I would love to read them. That’s all for today, have a wonderful Sunday and I will be back soon with a new giveaway and more recipes and tales from my kitchen, Karen
Tai Mo Shan
An Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties
Print recipe
| Serves | 12 Pasties |
| Prep time | 30 minutes |
| Cook time | 25 minutes |
| Total time | 55 minutes |
| Allergy | Egg, Milk, Wheat |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish, Snack, Starter |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Barbecue, Birthday Party, Casual Party, Christmas, Easter, Halloween |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
These delicious little pasties are packed with Farmhouse Cheddar cheese, mashed potatoes and onions, and are my MOST requested recipe by all of my family and friends! They make wonderful lunch box snacks as well as being very handy to take on picnics. I also serve these little vegetarian pasties with salad for lunch and supper and they freeze beautifully. Children and adults love them alike, and if you make a full batch of 12, you can freeze half of them for future meals.
Ingredients
- 450g (1lb) shortcrust or puff pastry (I made my own shortcrust pastry and doubled my usual recipe)
- 2 large potatoes (peeled and cut into small, even-sized chunks)
- 2 onions (peeled and cut into wedges)
- 1 teaspoon English mustard powder
- 280g (10ozs) Mature Farmhouse Cheddar cheese (grated)
- salt and pepper
- 1 free-range egg (beaten with a little milk)
Note
These delicious little pasties are packed with Farmhouse Cheddar cheese, mashed potatoes and onions, and are my MOST requested recipe by all of my family and friends! They make wonderful lunch box snacks as well as being very handy to take on picnics. I also serve these little vegetarian pasties with salad for lunch and supper and they freeze beautifully. Children and adults love them alike, and if you make a full batch of 12, you can freeze half of them for future meals.
Directions
| Step 1 | Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas mark 6 and grease and/or line two baking trays/sheets. |
| Step 2 | Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and add the potatoes and onions; place a lid on the pan and bring back to the boil before simmering the vegetables until the potatoes are soft. Take off the heat and drain over the sink, or, strain over a colander and keep the water for making soup. |
| Step 3 | Mash the potatoes and onions together with a little milk to loosen the mixture, and then add the mustard powder and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the grated cheese and mix well, allow to cool slightly before making the pasties. |
| Step 4 | When you are ready to make the pasties, roll out the pastry on a floured board and cut out rounds with a saucer or small plate, they need to be about 5" (13cms) in diameter or slightly larger. |
| Step 5 | Spoon some of the cheese and potato mixture on one half, dampen the edges of the pastry and then fold over to make a half moon shape, before sealing and crimping the edges with your fingers or the back of a fork. |
| Step 6 | Place the pasties on the prepared baking trays/sheets and brush the beaten egg over to glaze. Snip or cut the pasty tops to make 2 or 3 slits to allow the steam to escape and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy. |
| Step 7 | Carefully take the pasties off the baking tray and allow to cool on a wire rack. Eat them warm or cold. |
| Step 8 | Can be frozen before baking. Makes about 12 pasties according to the size saucer you use. Any leftover filing can be kept in the fridge for 2 to 3 days and be used again. |
An Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
Basic Shortcrust Pastry
Print recipe
| Serves | 340g (12 ounces) |
| Prep time | 45 minutes |
| Dietary | Vegetarian |
| Meal type | Appetizer, Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack |
| Misc | Freezable, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold, Serve Hot |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Basic Shortcrust Pastry - my mum's recipe for shortcrust pastry which uses SR flour and not plain flour for a lovely light texture!
Ingredients
- 340g SR flour (12 ozs)
- 160g butter (6 ozs)
- cold water (to mix, about 30ml)
- pinch of salt
Note
Basic Shortcrust Pastry - my mum's recipe for shortcrust pastry which uses SR flour and not plain flour for a lovely light texture!
Directions
| Step 1 | Mix flour and salt in basin, rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. |
| Step 2 | Using a knife to cut and stir, mix with cold water to form a stiff dough. Do not over mix, light of hand is best. Allow pastry dough to chill and "relax" for 30 minutes, in a fridge or a cool place, cover the bowl or put the pastry in some cling film. |
| Step 3 | Turn dough on to a floured surface and knead lightly. Roll out and use as required. |
An Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties Recipe
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