South African cuisine is renowned for its spiced aromas and vibrant flavors, with the iconic King Pie recipe standing out as a symbol of heartiness and comfort. More than just a pie, King Pie is a beloved staple that embodies South African culture. If you crave a taste of this savory delight from afar, this blog post serves as the ultimate guide to recreating the flavors of South Africa with your very own King Pie recipe.

King Pie recipe: a cornerstone of South African heritage

King Pie is not merely a culinary delight; it’s a slice of heritage. Founded in 1993, the brand’s humble beginnings saw a small yet ambitious bakery in the Limpopo province. Today, King Pie boasts a wide-ranging empire across South Africa.

The pie’s symphony of flavors is created through a careful selection of locally sourced ingredients paired with a delicate golden puff pastry crust. The generous fillings vary from the sumptuous traditional chicken to the more contemporary flavors, ensuring there is something for every palate.

The King Pie brand holds within it elements of this rich history. From its inception as a local, family-run bakery to its growth into a national brand, it tells the story of resilience and celebrating flavors close to home.

Crafting your King Pie feast

Dough ingredients:

• 2 cups of All-Purpose Flour
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons of Salt
• 1 teaspoon of Baking Powder
• 340g of Unsalted Butter
• 1 & 3/4 cups of Cold Water

Filling ingredients:

• 5 Boneless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Potato
• 2 Carrots
• 1/2 Red Onion
• 1/2 Jalapeño
• 25 grams of Ginger
• 3 Garlic Cloves
• 1/2 Lemon
• Vegetable Oil (or any preferred oil)
• 2 tablespoons of All-Purpose Flour
• Cheddar Cheese

List of spices:

Salt, Turmeric, Crushed Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Thyme, Red Chilli Powder, Garlic Powder, Garam Masala Powder (Additional ingredients: 1 egg and a splash of whole milk for brushing the pies before baking.)

Steps to crafting your own King Pie:

1. Begin by preparing the filling; start with boiling the chicken breasts until cooked through and tender.
2. While the chicken is cooking, peel and dice the potato and carrots into small cubes. Dice the red onion, jalapeño, ginger, and garlic cloves as well.
3. Heat a pan on medium heat, add a generous amount of vegetable oil, and sauté the diced vegetables until soft.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using two forks or chop it into small pieces.
5. Add the shredded chicken to the pan with the sautéed vegetables.
6. Squeeze half a lemon over the filling mixture, season with salt and spices according to your preference, and mix well.
7. Gradually sprinkle in the all-purpose flour while stirring to thicken the filling.
8. Remove the pan from heat and let the filling cool while you prepare the pastry dough.
9. In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder.
10. Cut the unsalted butter into small cubes and add them to the flour mixture.
11. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until it forms a crumbly texture.
12. Slowly pour in the cold water and start kneading the dough until it comes together.
13. Divide the dough into equal-sized portions and roll them out on a floured surface.
14. Place a portion of the filling onto one half of the rolled out dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
15. Sprinkle some grated cheddar cheese over the filling.
16. Fold the dough over to cover the filling and use a fork to crimp the edges together.
17. Repeat this process for all portions of dough until you have multiple mini pies.

An invitation to the table

The King Pie experience is more than just a sum of its parts. It’s the company, the conversation, and the shared laughter that make each bite a memory in the making. Whether you find yourself in sunny South Africa or under distant skies, the taste of King Pie can always find a place at your table.

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