J M Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, was born in Kirriemuir in Forfarshire and wrote about Forfar Bridies. They are a meat filled pastie originating from Maggie Bridie, a travelling food seller. A Bridie is one of Bridie’s meat pasties. Forfar Birdie a type of Scottish meat pastry or pie, originally made in the town of Forfar and is similar in shape to a Cornish pasty. It is made of minced beef, sometimes with onions and spices then placed on a rolled-out pastry, folded and baked in an oven. Enjoy !

Ingredients

• 700g boneless lean minced beef.
• 60 gm suet or butter or margarine (2 tablespoons).
• 2 finely chopped onions.
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder.
• Quarter cup rich beef stock (or 1 cube).
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• One-and-a-half lbs flaky pastry (home made or packet mix)

Direction:

• Remove fat or gristle from the meat and beat with a meat hammer or rolling pin.
• Cut into half-inch pieces (1cm).
• Place pieces in a medium bowl (some cooks brown them in the suet first).
• Add salt/pepper, mustard, onion, suet/butter/margarine and stock – mix well.
• Divide the pastry into six equal portions.
• Divide the meat mixture into six equal portions.
• Roll each pastry portion to a six inch circle about quarter inch thick.
• Place a portion of the meat mixture in the centre of the pastry circle.
• Leave an edge of pastry showing all round.
• Brush the outer edge of the pastry circle with water and fold up to the top.
• Crimp the edges together well.
• The crimped edges should be at the top of each bridie.
• Make a small slit in the top to let out any steam.
• Place the bridies on a square baking tray brushed with oil.
• Place in a pre-heated oven at GasMark8/450F/230C for 15 minutes.
• Then reduce the temperature to GasMark4/350F/180C and cook for another 45 minutes.
• The Bridies should be golden brown.
• If they are getting too dark, cover with greaseproof paper / foil.

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