jamaican patties — vegetarian or meat, you decide

jamaican patties have been tres populaire as a snackfood for some time now. i like to make them for a light supper or lunch and serve them with a green salad, usually something flavourful like arugula (rocket). they are easily made and "fake" meat like yves ground round or tvp can substitute for the ground beef when you want a vegetarian alternative. if using tvp, reconstitute it first with hot water (1 c tvp to 1 c boiling water). i have also filled them with a mixture of dry-ish mashed potatoes mixed with sweet green peas, using the same spices and some lemon juice — kind of like a classic samosa filling. a friend of mine replaces the curry powder with garam masala for a different flavouring.

i will be adding pictures soon of the steps to make these.

jamaican beef patties,
vegetarian or not

makes 12

photo: café m

for the dough:

3 c AP flour
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp salt

1/2 cold margarine*
1/2 cold crisco* (or more margarine)
1 egg
1 tbsp white vinegar
3 or 4 tbsp ice water


method:

cut the fats you are using into cubes and keep them cold.

in a bowl mix the dry ingredients together. add the crisco and margarine and blend in using a pastry cutter or knives. this can be done in a food processor also. mix or cut it until it resembles cornmeal (coarse).

in a cup mix egg and vinegar together. add this to flour and mix in.

add the ice water in increments and mix gently. add only enough for the dough to hold together. do NOT overmix the dough.

if doing it old fashioned way in a bowl, turn it a few times until it holds together.

divide it in 3 equal pieces and refrigerate while you make the filling.

for the filling:

1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 hot green pepper, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 lb yves ground round or regular ground beef [or enough tvp = 1 lb]
1 tsp thyme
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 c DRY bread crumbs
1/2 c water
salt & pepper to taste

method:

fry the onion with the garlic and hot pepper until the onion is softened. add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. if using ground round, cook for a few minutes to heat through. add the spices and bread crumbs. add the water, mix everything and cover. cook over medium heat until the water has evaporated. add salt and pepper to your liking. let mixture cool.

to make the patties:

heat oven to 400 F. line a baking sheet with either parchment or foil. you do not need to grease the foil as there is enough oil in the dough for them not to stick.

separate each ball of dough into 4 equal pieces. you will have 12 patties in the end. separate the filling into 12 equal portions.

making one patty at a time, roll each ball of dough into a 6 inch circle on a floured board. in the lower half of one circle, add one portion of the filling. turn the top half over to match the bottom half and seal the edges with a fork. prick the patty a few times on top.

you may use an egg wash here if you like before pricking the dough.

bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

enjoy with a nice green salad on the side!