apple fritter/ pocket pie

[veggiepark]

Hello vegans,

I recently purchased a calzone maker/ pocket pie folder and i'm anxious to work with it. I found some yummy recipies for the dough i can veganize, like a french flaky pastry. However some of the recipies for the savory fillings (vegtables, gravies, curries, etc.), indicate the filling needs to be cooked before it's folded into the pastry and baked.

Any opinions on wheter to pre-cook sweet fillings and how? I guess fresh sweet potatoes is a yes, yet what about fruits:apples, pears, berries, etc. Do they need to cook first, and by what method?

[sugarmouse]

Wow I never heard of a calzone maker, what I sheltered life I lead!
i am not sure about fruitand berries, as I guess it doesnt need to be cooked, but depends more on how you want it to taste!
If I was you I would experiment by not cooking at first and see if its warm enough and tastes nice.

[veggiepark]

Yes, they're a folding plastic cirlce, that cuts out the dough, lay it in the circle, fill it, and fold. Makes a perfect pie every time. They can be bought on ebay under pie maker. I bought mine from kitchen niche.com because they're's is the largest i could find (makes a 7 inch pie).

I'm guessing berries don't need to be cooked. I'm not sure for apples and pears, since they require a longer cook time to soften. I'm also gona try vegan pudding recipies i got from vegweb.com, ( coconut and chocolate!).

[veggiepark]

Has anyone made/worked with anything as these plastic pocket pie folders? I attempted/created my first pies, about 7 with a spicy pear filling. The flavors were delicious,yet my pies all opened on the seams and leaked. I feel maybe i put too much filling( if at all) and the filling had much to much juices.

Any cooking prep tips?

[fiamma]

No experience with calzone makers, but you could try going around the sealed edge and pinching it carefully with your fingertips to make sure the seal is really tight. As regards the filling, perhaps you could try adding some breadcrumbs to the filling to make it a little drier? Not too many so as not to alter the taste. Or just leaving your pie filling to drain for a bit before using it to fill your pies. Good luck!

[cedarblue]

i bought a set of these plastic pie/pasty makers from kleeneze or betterware, someone like that.

we make lovely cornish pasties with them - just take care not to overfill - also fruit can produce a lot of juice unlike savoury stuff.

cornish pasty recipe;

fry thinly sliced leek or 2
thinly sliced red onion
crushed garlic clove

when soft add some frozen veggie mince & cook till - cooked!

meanwhile steam some carrot & potato and chop up smallish.
mix two things together.

fill into pastry circles in pie makers & seal

brush with soy milk
bake for 20-30 mins depending on oven.

lovely with roasties, veg, gravy and mint sauce!!

[scarlett]

oooh, I'll have to give them a try cedarblue, sounds yummy

[cedarblue]

i forgot to add - lots of salt & pepper too!

[veggiepark]

Yes i do want to make savory pies also! What is your vegtable mince Cedarblue?

[cedarblue]

i use asda frozen own brand meat-free mince but any is good i guess

[Tigerlily]

I though pie filling was used (and that's usually fruit cooked with lots of sugar).

[thecatspajamas1]

Make it samosa-style... curried potatoes, peas, and onions inside the crust!

You could make a calzone with vegan cheese that melts or tofu-ricotta, marinara sauce, some seitan, basil...