Jamaican Patties

Instructions

In large bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, curry powder, tumeric, and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until crumbly. Drizzle in water, stirring with fork and adding up to 2 tbsp. more water, if necessary, to make a soft dough. Form into a ball and flatten to a disc. Wrap and chill for 1 hour.*

Filling:
In skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook onion, green onions, garlic and cayenne pepper for 3 minutes or until softened. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.

Over high heat, saute beef for 5 minutes or until no longer pink; drain off fat. Return onion mixture to pan along with curry powder, thyme, tumeric, salt and pepper; cook for 3 minutes over medium heat. Pour in water; bring to a boil. Add crumbs; simmer for 3 minutes or until slightly thickened but still juicy. Let cool. **

Divide dough into 16 pieces. On floured pastry cloth and using stockinette-covered rolling pin, roll out each piece into a 5-inch circle. Brush edges of top half with water; place 2 heaping tbsp of filling in the centre. Fold in half, pressing edges togther with fork to seal. Prick twice; place on ungreased baking sheet. *** Bake in 375°F oven for about 20 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Author's Comments

* Can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 weeks.
** Can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day.
*** Patties can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day.