Karelian Rice Pasties (Karjalanpiirakat)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

(makes 20)
Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 5-7 minutes/batch
Oven temperature: 575 degrees F
(300 degrees C)
Suitable for freezing

Pastry:
3/4 cup (2 dl) water ( 3 tbps melted butter)
1 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups (3 dl) rye flour
3/4 cup (2 dl) whiteflour

Filling:
Rice pudding (or mashed potatoes)
1/2 cup (1 1/2 dl) water (or boiling milk)
3 Tbsp melted butter for brushing the pasties

1. Prepare the filling .

2. Mix together the water,(butter), salt and flour.

3. Shape the dough into a long rope the thickness of your wrist and cut into 20 equal portions. Shape the pieces into flat round cakes and form into a pile at the side of the baking table. Roll out each cake into a very thin circle. Set aside, but not on top of each other or they will stick together.

4. Fill the center of each with the rice pudding( or mashed potatoes), fold over the edges and pinch tightly.

5. Bake for a short time in a hot oven.

6. Brushing the pasties by melted butter-water (milk)