Handheld Meat Pies from Nebraska, aka Runzas, were made popular by a local fast food chain.
To celebrate this year of the Olympics and a presidential election, Cooking Channel asked fans what dishes represent their states and then worked with our kitchens to create original recipes for each of the 50 states. (Read all about the project here.) Each state has its own unique food scene, but we couldn’t help but notice some trends across the map from coast to coast.
As an Omaha, Nebraska native, I was really excited (and a little nervous) when I was called upon during recipe development of Across the Country in 50 State Dishes for my expertise in Nebraskan foods, specifically the beloved Runza. What the heck is a runza? It’s a handheld meat pie, similar to other meat pies that were voted as favorites by our Facebook fans across the country (check out the Michigan Pasty and West Virginia’s Pepperoni Rolls). Only the runza, of Russian and German origin, is filled with ground beef (yeah, Nebraska!), onions and cabbage. And, most critically, it is the specialty of the Midwestern fast food chain, RUNZA.
So there I was, plucked from my cubicle and shuttled up the elevator to the bustling test kitchen, where recipe developers, culinary editors and online folks with notepads and cameras all gathered around and watched as I took a bite of the runza. The dough was tender, slightly sweet and smelled like freshly baked bread; the beef filling was the perfect savory contrast while the cabbage, chunkier than I was used to, added texture and flavor. Mmmm — It was amazing. As good as fast food runzas are (and I make sure to eat one or two every time I visit Omaha), the homemade version that our test kitchen whipped up was absolutely incredible. I was happy to give it the thumbs up, and now I’m glad you can all try it as well – whether you’re Nebraskan or not, you’re going to love this little meat pie (pictured above).
West Virginia Pepperoni Roll
Another great update to a favorite was the West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls. On a brief trip to West Virginia I had tried the state’s popular convenience store snack. I liked it, but the test kitchen’s fresh homemade version, filled with spicy pepperoni and gooey melted mozzarella, was a surprising delight.
Michigan Pasty (Meat Hand Pie)
And of the three, the Michigan Pasty Meat Hand Pie is the most pie-like of all, with a flaky crust (it’s made using shortening or lard), chunky filling and half-moon shape. They originated as portable lunches for Cornish miners, but you can make them for a hearty, Michigan-style dinner.
See all 50 dishes and the completed project here: Across the Country in 50 State Dishes.
More from Across The Country
- The Making of Across the Country: How It All Came Together
- Recipe Testing for Across the Country
- Trends Across the Country: East Coast Seafood
- Trends Across the Country: Much Mexican Food
- Photo Photography and Styling
buy real youtube likes…
[...]although sites we backlink to beneath are considerably not related to ours, we feel they may be truly really worth a go by means of, so have a look[...]…
closeout buyers…
[...]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[...]…
cell phone cases…
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any recomm…
natural breast enhancement…
Hiya! I simply want to give an enormous thumbs up for the great information you’ve right here on this post. I will be coming again to your weblog for extra soon….
Revere Taxi…
[...]Here is an excellent Weblog You may Locate Exciting that we Encourage You[...]…
steamy romance short stories…
[...]we came across a cool web-site that you may get pleasure from. Take a search when you want[...]…
International Wedding Photographer…
[...]check below, are some completely unrelated internet sites to ours, having said that, they’re most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
play pokies…
merely close to all the cards. See the clause Topper online pokies Keyboards for PC s as a kid, he plans to dole out stimulant money. Your consultation feels delirious close to the sorcerous effects of aging, and Patience, the Alienware commands a heig…
wedding dresses online…
…
2013 business ideas for women…
…
IPKN New York…
[...]below you will locate the link to some websites that we consider you need to visit[...]…
click this link…
[...]we came across a cool website that you might delight in. Take a appear when you want[...]…
rehab…
[...]just beneath, are various entirely not associated web sites to ours, however, they are certainly really worth going over[...]…
benefits of garcinia cambogia extract…
[...]very couple of web sites that occur to become comprehensive below, from our point of view are undoubtedly very well really worth checking out[...]…
magneticone…
…
Fundacion Manantiales…
[...]very few web sites that come about to be in depth below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well really worth checking out[...]…
visit website…
[...]Sites of interest we’ve a link to[...]…
link…
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all of us you really realize what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally consult with my web site =). We can have a link alternate agreement between us!…
No Faxing Payday Advance…
[...]although internet sites we backlink to below are considerably not connected to ours, we really feel they are essentially really worth a go by way of, so have a look[...]…
model photography…
[...]the time to study or visit the content material or web sites we’ve linked to below the[...]…
Buy AICAR…
[...]please go to the web pages we comply with, including this a single, because it represents our picks through the web[...]…
Dental handpiece…
[...]please check out the web-sites we stick to, such as this one, because it represents our picks through the web[...]…
News info…
I was reading the news and I saw this really cool information…
Informative and precise…
Its hard to find informative and accurate info but here I found…
compro oro precio gramo…
[...]usually posts some very fascinating stuff like this. If you are new to this site[...]…
seattle garage door…
[...]we came across a cool website that you simply may delight in. Take a look for those who want[...]…
Sameer Jejurikar…
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly…
BMW OPS…
[...]please take a look at the web sites we stick to, which includes this 1, because it represents our picks in the web[...]…
mojo barrier…
[...]one of our visitors a short while ago advised the following website[...]…
ip camera…
[...]Here are several of the websites we suggest for our visitors[...]…
Just Browsing…
While I was surfing yesterday I noticed a great post concerning…
happy wheels…
[...]The facts talked about inside the article are some of the ideal out there [...]…
Its hard to find good help…
I am regularly saying that its hard to get good help, but here is…
CO2 laser machine…
[...]The data mentioned in the report are a number of the very best readily available [...]…
Wikia…
Wika linked to this site…
nuru massage london…
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again…
Ginny Simon…
Announcing this new fashion company Ginny Simon….
Posicionamiento Web…
Thanks for discussing your ideas on this blog. As well, a fantasy regarding the financial institutions intentions while talking about property foreclosure is that the lender will not getreceive my payments. There is a degree of time in which the bank w…
Maryland Child Care…
…
SEO Riyadh…
[...]please pay a visit to the web sites we follow, such as this 1, as it represents our picks in the web[...]…
airbag module replacement…
[...]Here is an excellent Weblog You may Find Fascinating that we Encourage You[...]…
wyslij kwiaty krakow…
Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol…
verizon cell phone plans…
[...]Here is a good Blog You might Come across Exciting that we Encourage You[...]…
Fort Myers Home Security…
[...]although web sites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we really feel they are actually worth a go by means of, so possess a look[...]…
naples lawyer…
[...]although web sites we backlink to below are considerably not associated to ours, we feel they may be really really worth a go as a result of, so have a look[...]…
Digg…
While checking out DIGG yesterday I noticed this…
Fit Body Boot Camp Franchise…
Superb post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Bless you!…
photographer naples fl…
[...]Here is an excellent Weblog You might Obtain Intriguing that we Encourage You[...]…
cleaning company naples fl…
[...]check beneath, are some entirely unrelated web sites to ours, on the other hand, they may be most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
Tumblr article…
I saw a writer writing about this on Tumblr and it linked to…