Jamaican Spiced Beef Patties

Ingredients

• For the pastry: For the pastry:
• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon curry powder
• ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup (120ml) ice water ½ cup (120ml) ice water
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and finely chopped (adjust to taste) 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and finely chopped (adjust to taste)
• ¼ cup (60ml) beef broth ¼ cup (60ml) beef broth
• For the egg wash: For the egg wash:
• 1 egg, beaten 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon water 1 tablespoon water

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 2g
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, turmeric powder, curry powder, and salt for the pastry. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the ice water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned.
4. 4.
   Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir in the dried thyme, ground allspice, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and chopped Scotch bonnet pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Pour in the beef broth and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
7. 7.
   On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Cut out circles or squares of about 5-6 inches in diameter.
8. 8.
   Place a spoonful of the cooled beef filling onto one half of each pastry circle or square. Fold the other half over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together and crimp with a fork to seal.
9. 9.
   Transfer the patties to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the beaten egg wash.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the patties are golden brown and crispy.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef — Use lean ground beef for a healthier option. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use ground beef with a slightly higher fat content.
• Scotch bonnet pepper — Adjust the amount of Scotch bonnet pepper according to your spice tolerance. Be cautious as it is a very hot pepper. You can also substitute it with milder peppers like jalapeno or habanero if desired.
• Turmeric powder — Turmeric adds a vibrant yellow color to the pastry. If you don't have turmeric powder, you can omit it, but it will affect the visual appeal of the patties.
• Allspice — Allspice is a key ingredient in Jamaican cuisine. It has a unique flavor that combines the tastes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. If you can't find allspice, you can create a substitute by combining equal parts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Tips & Tricks

• For a flakier crust, make sure the butter is cold and handle the dough as little as possible.
• If you prefer a spicier filling, you can add a few dashes of hot sauce or extra cayenne pepper.
• Serve the patties with a side of tangy mango chutney or hot pepper sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
• These patties can be made ahead of time and frozen. Just thaw them before baking.
• Experiment with different fillings such as chicken, shrimp, or vegetarian options like spiced lentils or vegetables.

Serving advice

Serve the Jamaican Spiced Beef Patties warm as a snack or a light meal. They are perfect for picnics, parties, or as a delicious on-the-go treat. Accompany them with a refreshing tropical fruit salad or a side of Jamaican rice and peas for a complete Caribbean-inspired meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden brown Jamaican Spiced Beef Patties on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. Serve them with colorful dipping sauces to enhance the visual appeal. The half-moon shape of the patties showcases the flaky pastry and the flavorful filling, making them an enticing treat for any occasion.