North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie

North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie Recipe - Egypt, North Africa

Region / culture: Egypt, North Africa | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 50 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

This North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie is a delicious and unique dish that combines savory ground beef with sweet and creamy sweet potatoes. The flavors of allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon add warmth and depth to this comforting meal.

History

This recipe is inspired by traditional North African cuisine, where sweet potatoes are a staple ingredient in many dishes. The combination of sweet and savory flavors is a common theme in North African cooking, and this dish is a perfect example of that.

Ingredients

1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
0.5 cup breadcrumbs
0.25 tsp allspice
0.25 tsp nutmeg
0.13 tsp black pepper
0.13 tsp cayenne
1.5 tsp salt, divided
2 (16.00 oz (454 g)) cans sweet potatoes, drained well
0.25 cup brown sugar
0.25 cup milk (not skim)
2 large eggs
1 tbsp butter, softened
1 tbsp lemon juice
0.25 tsp cinnamon
0.13 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp finely minced fresh onion
1 dash tabasco sauce, to taste

How to prepare

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, allspice, nutmeg, pepper, cayenne, and 1 tsp of salt.
Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate, up to the rim. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in another large bowl, mash together the sweet potatoes and the remaining ingredients, along with the remaining 0.5 tsp of salt, using a potato masher until the mixture is smooth.
Spoon the sweet potato mixture into the uncooked meat shell.
Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Variations

For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the ground beef with lentils or chickpeas.
You can also add diced vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the meat mixture for added flavor and nutrition.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to drain the sweet potatoes well before mashing them to avoid a watery filling.

- Refrigerating the meat mixture before pressing it into the pie plate helps it hold its shape better.

- Be sure to bake the pie until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean to ensure that it is fully cooked.

Serving Suggestions

This North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making this dish is to ensure that the meat mixture is pressed firmly into the pie plate to create a sturdy shell for the sweet potato filling.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have allspice or nutmeg on hand, you can substitute with a combination of cinnamon and cloves for a similar flavor profile.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the meat mixture and sweet potato filling ahead of time and assemble the pie just before baking for a convenient make-ahead meal.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the finished pie with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or a drizzle of tahini sauce for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

This dish pairs well with a glass of red wine or a refreshing mint tea to complement the flavors of the North African spices.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of this North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of this North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of this dish contains approximately 15 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of this pie provides about 20 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, making this dish a nutritious choice.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (milk and butter) and eggs.

Summary

This dish is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

This North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines the best of sweet and savory flavors. With a hearty meat filling and creamy sweet potato topping, this pie is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.

How did I get this recipe?

I can still recall the sense of amazement I felt when I first saw this recipe for North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie. It was a hot summer day and I had just finished helping my neighbor, Mrs. Jenkins, with her garden. As a token of her appreciation, she invited me into her kitchen for a cool glass of lemonade.

As we sat at her kitchen table, chatting and sipping our drinks, Mrs. Jenkins suddenly disappeared into the pantry and emerged with an old, tattered recipe book. She flipped through the pages with a smile on her face, finally stopping at a worn-out page.

"This is one of my favorite recipes," she said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "It's a North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie. I learned it from a friend who traveled to Morocco many years ago."

I leaned in closer, intrigued by the exotic-sounding dish. Mrs. Jenkins began to read out the ingredients and instructions, her voice filled with nostalgia as she recounted the memories associated with the recipe.

"The combination of sweet potatoes, ground beef, and aromatic spices creates a deliciously unique flavor," she explained. "The flaky pastry crust adds the perfect finishing touch."

As she spoke, I could almost taste the savory-sweet flavors of the pie in my mind. I knew I had to learn how to make it myself. Mrs. Jenkins noticed my enthusiasm and offered to teach me the recipe.

Over the next few weeks, I visited Mrs. Jenkins regularly, eager to learn the art of making North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie. With her patient guidance, I mastered the technique of preparing the filling, seasoning it just right with cumin, cinnamon, and paprika. I learned how to make the pastry dough from scratch, rolling it out thin and flaky before assembling the pie.

Each step of the process was a labor of love, and I could feel the connection to the distant lands where the recipe originated. Mrs. Jenkins shared stories of her travels and the friends she had made along the way, all while we kneaded dough and chopped vegetables together in her cozy kitchen.

Finally, the day came when I felt ready to make the North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie on my own. I gathered the ingredients and set to work, following the instructions from memory. As the pie baked in the oven, filling my own home with the tantalizing aroma of spices and herbs, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride.

When the pie emerged golden and bubbling, I couldn't wait to taste it. The first bite was a revelation - the tender sweet potatoes, the savory beef, the warm spices dancing on my tongue. It was a feast for the senses, a culinary journey to far-off lands without ever leaving my own kitchen.

I shared the pie with my family and friends, watching as their eyes lit up with delight at the flavors bursting from each bite. They marveled at the exotic combination of ingredients, the flaky crust that crumbled in their mouths. I felt a sense of joy knowing that I had brought a taste of North Africa into their lives.

As the years passed, I continued to make North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie, refining the recipe and adding my own personal touches. Each time I prepared the dish, I remembered Mrs. Jenkins and the day she shared her recipe with me. I thought of the friendships forged over food, the stories shared around the kitchen table.

Now, as I pass on the recipe to my own grandchildren, I hope that they too will feel the same sense of wonder and connection that I did when I first saw the recipe for North African Sweet Potato Meat Pie. May they savor each bite, just as I have savored the memories and flavors that have enriched my life.