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Appetizers

Flaky Curry-Spiced Pastry with Beef Filling (Jamaican Beef Patty)

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50 min (incl. chilling)
Prep
30 min
Cook

Ingredients

  • 300 g (2 1/2 cups) flour
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 150 g (2/3 cup) cold butter, cubed
  • 100 ml (1/3 cup) ice water
  • 400 g (14 oz) ground beef
  • 1 onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper, minced (seeds removed for less heat)
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Method

  1. Combine flour, curry powder, turmeric and salt, then cut in cold butter until crumbly.
  2. Add ice water gradually to form a dough, then chill 30 minutes.
  3. For the filling, brown the ground beef with onion, garlic, scotch bonnet and thyme; stir in breadcrumbs to bind and let cool.
  4. Roll out the dough and cut into circles; fill each with beef mixture, fold over and crimp edges shut with a fork.
  5. Brush with egg wash and bake at 200C (400F) for 25-30 minutes until golden.

Introduction: A beloved handheld snack found at bakeries across Jamaica, distinguished by its golden turmeric-tinted, flaky crust wrapped around a well-spiced ground beef filling.

Cultural Background: A beloved handheld snack found at bakeries across Jamaica, distinguished by its golden turmeric-tinted, flaky crust wrapped around a well-spiced ground beef filling.

Tips: Keep the butter and water cold for the flakiest pastry texture. Let the filling cool before assembling so it doesn't melt the butter in the dough.

Variations: Substitute ground chicken, callaloo or soy crumbles for the beef for other classic patty variations.

Storage: Refrigerate baked patties in an airtight container for up to 3 days; unbaked patties freeze well for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Reheat in a 180C (350F) oven for 10-12 minutes to re-crisp; avoid microwaving, which softens the pastry.

FAQs:

Q: Why is the pastry yellow?

A: Turmeric and curry powder in the dough give Jamaican beef patties their signature golden color.

Q: Can I make these ahead and freeze them?

A: Yes, assembled but unbaked patties freeze well; bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

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