While jerk chicken – or anything jerk, to be fair – is possibly the most famous Jamaican food that every tourist wants to try when visiting the land of wood and water, Jamaican patties are by far the must-try street food here! Distant cousins of the Spanish and Dominican empanadas we saw earlier, the Jamaican version – sought-after all over the world – is characterized by a flaky pastry of a distinctive orange color, given by the use of turmeric and curry during its preparation.
The fillings can vary and are well seasoned and extremely tasty, and include options such as beef, curry chicken, ackee and saltfish, cheese, lobster, or fish. It is not unusual to see Jamaicans buy a box of 12 or 24 patties before boarding a flight overseas, either as a present to friends and family living abroad or because Jamaicans simply cannot live without their much-loved patties for too long! We’re going to show you how to make mouthwatering Jamaican Beef Patties, right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Get ready to impress your taste buds with this Caribbean delight!”
Jamaican Patties
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter chilled and diced
- 1/2 cup ice-cold water
- 1 pound ground beef or your choice of filling
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 small carrot grated
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt and a tablespoon of Jamaican curry powder or turmeric. Add the chilled diced butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Gradually add the ice-cold water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth. Then, cover it with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: While the dough is chilling, let's prepare the filling. In a pan over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and sauté the onion, garlic, and grated carrot until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces.
- Step 4: Add the thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper to the beef mixture. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
- Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take the chilled dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out circles of dough.
- Step 6: Spoon a generous amount of the cooled beef filling onto one half of each dough circle. Fold the other half over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly and crimp with a fork to seal.
- Step 7: Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.