WORLD STREET FOOD

Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

Jamaican Beef Patties

Jamaican beef patties ​are made with a flaky pastry and filled with seasoned beef filling. These baked hand pies can be found throughout the island at roadside food shacks, in snackettes, canteens, and more. Beef patties are a must-have if you ever visit Jamaica.

Bring this delicious Jamaican treat home with our recipe. A favorite way to eat them in Jamaica is sandwiched between coco bread (a yeasted sandwich bun that contains no cocoa and no coconut despite its name). Wash it down with an ice-cold beer, a hot beverage, or a cold fruit drink.

Ingredients

For the Pastry Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric (or curry powder)
• 8.81 ounces/250 grams vegetable shortening (cold)
• 1 cup water (ice-cold, plus more if needed)

For the Filling:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup onion (diced)
• Optional: minced hot pepper, to taste
• 2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more), to taste
• 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup green onions (finely sliced, white and green parts)

For the Assembly:

• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the Pastry Dough

1. To make the crust, add the flour, salt, and turmeric, and mix thoroughly.
2. Rub the shortening into the flour using your fingers until there are small pieces of shortening completely covered with flour.
3. Pour in 1/2 cup of the ice water and mix with your hands to bring the dough together.
4. Keep adding ice water 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time until the mixture forms a dough.
5. Cut the dough into 2 large pieces, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes before using it.

Gather the ingredients.

1. To make the filling, add the ground beef to a large bowl. Sprinkle in the allspice and black pepper. Mix together and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and sauté until translucent.
3. Add the hot pepper (if using), garlic, and thyme, and continue to sauté for another minute. Add a 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
4. Add the seasoned ground beef and stir to mix, breaking up any clumps, and let cook until the meat is no longer pink.
5. Add the ketchup and more salt to taste. Pour in the water and stir.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated and whatever is remaining has reduced to a thick sauce.
7. Fold in the green onions. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.

Assemble the Patties

1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon water together to make an egg wash. Set aside.
3. ​Flour the work surface and rolling pin. Take one of the large pieces and roll it out into a very large circle.
4. Take a bowl with a wide rim (about 5 inches) and cut out 3 circles.​
5. Place about 3 heaping tablespoons of the filling onto 1/2 of each circle. Dip a finger into the water and moisten the edges of the pastry.
6. Fold over the other half and press to seal. Take a fork and crimp the edges. Cut off any extra to make it look neat and uniform.
7. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and continue to work until you have rolled all the dough and filled the patties. Place in the fridge until ready to bake.
8. Just before adding the pans with the patties to the oven, brush the patties with egg wash.
9. Bake patties for 30 minutes or until golden brown, then cool on wire racks.
10. Serve warm and enjoy.