Jamaican Beef Patty


Jamaican Cuisine

Dough ingredients:
- 2 cups flour.
- ¼ tsp salt.
- ½ tbsp curry powder.
-.¼ cup solid shortening.
- ¼ cup margarine.
- ⅓ cup cold water.

Meat filling ingredients:
2 tbsp oil.
1 small white onion, finely chopped.
¼ tsp chopped Scotch bonnet pepper.
250g lean beef mince.
½ tsp salt.
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper.
½ tsp curry powder.
½ tsp dried thyme.
¼ cup breadcrumbs.
¼ cup beef or chicken stock.

Glaze ingredients:
- 1 egg, beaten.
- ¼ cup water.

Directions:
- Prepare the dough by sifting the flour, curry powder and salt into a large bowl.
- Cut in the shortening and margarine and blend until crumbly.
- Add the cold water to make a stiff dough.
- Lightly flour a wooden cutting board and roll out the dough until about 3mm thick.
- Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into 10, 20cm circles.
- Cover with wax paper or a damp cloth until ready to use.
- You can place the dough in the refrigerator overnight. If you do refrigerate, remove the dough at least 15 minutes before using.
- Make the filling by sautéing the onion and Scotch bonnet peppers in margarine in a heavy frying pan set over a medium-high heat, until softened.
- Add the beef mince, salt, pepper, curry powder and thyme and mix well.
- Brown the meat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the breadcrumbs and stock and combine all the ingredients well.
- Cover the frying pan and simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- When all the liquids have been absorbed, the filling is ready. It should be moist but not watery. Remove and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 200C.
- Uncover the dough circles and place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling on one half of each.
- Moisten the edges of the dough with water and fold the dough circle over the meat filling, to create filled semi-circles. Pinch the edges closed with a fork.
- Lightly brush the pastry with a mixture of the egg and water.
- Bake on a lightly greased baking sheet for 30 to 40 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown.