Jamaican Beef Patty

Flaky, golden Jamaican beef patties with a spiced ground beef filling.

Ingredients

For the Filling

• 1 1/3 cups roughly chopped scallions
• 2/3 cup diced white onion
• 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons ground allspice (pimento berries)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, stemmed and thinly sliced
• 1 (3/4-inch) piece peeled ginger
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef
• 2/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 2/3 cup (158 ml) beef stock
• 2 tablespoons browning (burnt brown sugar)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 3/4 teaspoons instant unflavored gelatin

For the Crust

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 7 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 5 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup (95 grams) cold shortening
• 1 1/2 cups (345 grams) cold beef suet
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 large egg

Directions

1. Make the filling: Combine the scallions, onion, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, all spice, garlic, peppers, and ginger in the bowl of a food processor and puree until minced.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the vegetables and cook until soft, 2 minutes. Add the beef and cook until brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the breadcrumbs, beef stock, browning, salt, pepper, and gelatin and cook until thick, about 25 minutes. Makes 4 1/2 cups.

3. Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour with the sugar, turmeric, curry powder, salt, and baking powder. Using a fork, add the shortening to the flour mixture until pea-sized crumbs form. Add the suet, taking care not to mash it. In a separate bowl, combine the vinegar and egg with 2/3 cup (150 ml) ice-cold water. Using a large spoon, gradually add the liquid into the dry mixture and gently stir to form a soft dough (be careful not to over mix to break up fat). Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until a soft dough is achieved. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

4. Heat the oven to 375°F. Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Using a rolling pin and working with one ball of dough at a time, roll each portion into a 8-inch circle. Fold the circle onto itself and repeat at least 5 times. This is creating layers in the dough to make it flaky. Repeat with the remaining balls of dough.

5. Add 1/3 cup beef filling onto each circle. Fold the circle up and over the filling and seal with the tines of a fork. Transfer the beef patties to a floured baking sheet and bake until golden and flaky, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Notes

Serve hot, or cool slightly, halve lengthwise, and place a couple slices of American cheese inside. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes longer.