Caribbean Meat Pockets Recipes

JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES (AKA MEAT PIES OR PASTIES)

Steps:

• Make the crust: Combine flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, and pinch of salt. Cut in 1/4 cup margarine and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until mixture forms a ball. Do not overstir; that makes tough crust. Shape dough into a log, and cut into 10 equal sections. Roll each section into a six inch circle (approximately 1/8 inch thick). Set aside.
• Next, prepare the filling.: Melt margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion until soft and translucent. Stir in ground beef. Season with 1 teaspoon curry powder, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Cook until beef is browned, stirring constantly. Stir in beef broth and bread crumbs. Simmer until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat.
• Now make the patties: Spoon some filling into each pastry circle. Fold over and press edges together, making a half circle. Use a fork to press edges, and brush the top of each patty with beaten egg.
• Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
• NOTE: If you have the time and organization, it might be best to make the filling in advance, long enough to cool down before fillng the pastry. Otherwise, it might melt the pastry somewhat. Just a thought from a review on another recipe.

MINI GOLDEN BEEF POCKETS

Steps:

• For the filling: Preheat the oven 400 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, onion and garlic and cook until the beef is browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Stir in the ketchup, all-purpose seasoning, browning sauce, jerk seasoning, allspice, ginger, soy sauce, thyme, green onions and tomato. Cook until the mixture is bubbly and heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.
• For the dough: Unroll the dough and trim the edges to create a rectangle. Cut each pie dough into four even pieces. Place half of the rectangles on the prepared baking sheets. Spoon the filling evenly into the center of each rectangle. Brush the edges with water and place the remaining rectangles on top. Crimp the edges with a fork. Cut slits in the tops of the pockets to allow steam to escape. Bake until the dough begins to brown and crisp around the edges, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix the butter and turmeric in a bowl until combined. Brush the pockets with the turmeric butter. Bake until done, another 5 minutes.

CARIBBEAN PATTIES (MEAT)

Steps:

• To prepare pastry:.
• sift together flour, curry powder, salt and then cut in the shortning until it resembles small peas. Add enough ice water to hold dough together, wrap in plastic and refridgerate 12 hours.
• To make filling:.
• Finely chop the onions and chile pepper, then mix thoroughly with the ground beef. Heat oil in a skillet and cook meat until browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in breadcrumbs, thyme, curry powder, salt and pepper.
• Mix the filling well and then add 1/2 cup of water. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes. Cool.
• Take dough out of fridge about 15 minutes before using. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and using a saucer to measure, cut into 4 inch circles. Sprinkle a little flour on each circle4 before stacking and cover stack with damp cloth.
• Preheat oven to 400. Setting out first pastry circle top with 1/12th the filling to cover half of it Fold over the other half and seal edges by pressing with a fork. Repeat with remaining. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

GOURMET PASTELILLOS (MEAT PIES)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion, tomato sauce, olives, sofrito, sazon, garlic, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes.
• Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of meat mixture into the middle of a disco. Fold dough over, moisten edges, and press with a fork to seal. Repeat with remaining meat mixture and discos.
• Pour oil into a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Fry pastelillos until golden brown and bubbly, about 3 minutes each. Drain on paper towels before serving.