BLUEBERRY FRIED PIES RECIPES

Steps:

• To make the crust, mix together the flour and salt. Add the lard, either with a fork, your hands or a pastry cutter.
• When the flour is clumped together, slowly add the cold water a tablespoon at a time until the dough is moist enough to come together. Form the dough into ball. Wrap and place the dough in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.
• Meanwhile, mix the blueberries, sugar, flour, lemon zest, cinnamon, and water in a pan, bring to a boil and cook for about 2 or 3 minutes or until thickened. Turn off the heat
• To make the fried pies, roll out the chilled pie crust until it’s no more than a 1/4 of an inch thick. (I like to roll it out into a rectangle-type shape.) Cut out 12 five-inch diameter circles (I use a saucer as a guide). Any scraps that are left over you can roll out again and cut out more circles.
• To make each pie, place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each crust. Moisten the edges and fold the crust over, sealing the edges with your fingers and then by pressing down on the edge with a fork.
• In a cast-iron skillet, heat an inch of oil (or lard or shortening) to 350° F.
• With a spatula, gently place each pie into the hot oil, and turn over after a minute. Cook on the other side for another minute, and then drain on a rack or paper-towel lined plate. You can sprinkle powdered sugar over the pies if you like.

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and water; add berries. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes; set aside to cool. , Combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Combine oil and buttermilk; stir into dry ingredients until mixture forms a ball. Roll on a floured surface to 1/8-in. thickness; cut into 4-1/2 in. circles. Place 1 tablespoon blueberry filling on each circle. Fold over; seal edges with fork. , In a skillet over medium heat, fry pies in 1/4 to 1/2 in. hot oil until golden brown, about 1-1/2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.