Natchitoches Meat Pies

• servings: MAKES ABOUT 16 PIES

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 pound ground beef (not lean)

1 tablespoon salt

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon chili powder

¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped

1 medium jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped

4 plum tomatoes, diced

1 teaspoon dried thyme

4 bay leaves

½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons water

1 bunch of scallion (green and white parts), thinly sliced (about ½ cup)

5 dashes Louisiana hot sauce

Directions

Heat the vegetable oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium high heat. Add the meat, salt, cayenne, paprika, chili powder, white pepper, cumin, and black pepper and cook, using a metal spatula to break up the meat, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the meat is lightly browned.

Add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, tomatoes, dried thyme, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce and cook, stirring, for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until most of the juices have evaporated and the vegetables have softened.