Another controversy! Pineapple in the pasties!

Pineapple and Chicken Cornish Pasties

After reading the following articles about the controversial award winner in the ‘Open Savoury Company’ category of the World Pasty Championships in England I thought I’d better make my own version of the Virginia USA Pure Pasty Company’s entry which contained “barbecue pulled chicken with sweet potato, zucchini, red pepper, sweetcorn and - wait for it - pineapple.”

Thanks for the links Robyn and Vicki!

https://uk.style.yahoo.com/pasty-containing-pineapple-wins-world-103233838.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/pasty-containing-pineapple-wins-world-pasty-championships_uk_5a9d1349e4b089ec353c7b8e

The Recipe:

Makes 10

4 sheets premade shortcrust pastry;

2 cups peeled, chopped, steamed and mashed sweet potato; 1 X 400g can sweet corn kernels; 2 rings, chopped, canned pineapple; ½ cup chopped red capsicum.

Mix together and steam briefly.

Add 1 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken.

Mix all ingredients with some cracked pepper.

Cut circles, place into mould, fill with vegetable mix, splash a little milk around the edge, press closed, splash with a little more milk and sprinkle with a pinch of sesame seeds.

Bake in a moderate oven until golden brown. (Adjustments to this recipe listed at the end of this post.)

I used these fabulous cutters that Pineapple Princess Ann had given me, but you could just cut pastry circles and fold them over, pressing the edges together with a fork.

The Verdict:

Matt: 6/10 a bit dry

Peter: 7/10 needs a bit more moisture and flavour

Carmel: 8/10 nice, a little bit dry, couldn’t find the pineapple

Phyl: 7.5/10 Pineapple not strong. I actually tasted sweet potato mostly and corn. Not the chicken really but liked them. They were very ‘light’ in taste. Not like some pasties. Pastry very nice too.

Greg: 7/10 I enjoyed the pastie … for me the corn dominated and a little extra salt made it yummy. To be honest, couldn’t taste the pineapple at all and the chicken was noticeable but the veggies were predominant

Dennis: 8/10 I enjoyed the pasty however I would prefer a little potato and some flavour, salt for example

Pauline: 7/10 Very tasty except that I don't eat corn. Would prefer potato to be part of the vegetable mix.

Thank you for your feedback everyone! So, if you are going to try the recipe above please make the above adjustments – more pineapple, a little salt, less corn, some chopped up potato, perhaps some more cracked pepper. I think you can pretty much include anything you like!!! But remember don’t skip on the pineapple!!! Anne