Jamaican Meat Pie Footballs Recipes

JAMAICAN MEAT PIE FOOTBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Combine the thyme, scallions, garlic, scotch bonnet chile and bell pepper in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (take care not to make a smooth puree).
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the beef, and cook, stirring, until slightly brown, about 2 minutes. Add the pepper mixture, curry powder and allspice, and cook, stirring, until the beef is deeply browned and the filling is fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the oil. Season the filling with 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and let the filling cool completely. Taste the filling and adjust the seasoning with more salt as needed.
• Roll each sheet of puff pastry to about 1/8 inch thick. Using a 4-inch football or oval-shaped cutter, stamp out 8 ovals of dough from each sheet; reserve the dough scraps. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the beef mixture onto the center of half the dough ovals and brush the edges with egg mixture. Top each oval with a second dough oval and crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Transfer the patties to the prepared baking sheets.
• From the dough scraps, cut sixteen 2-by-1/8-inch strips and forty-eight 1-by-1/8-inch strips, using a paring knife or pizza cutter. Arrange the long strips lengthwise across the center of each oval then arrange 3 short strips crosswise over the long strips to form the laces of a football. So as not to disturb the placement of the laces, carefully brush the tops of the ovals with egg mixture. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Serve with barbecue sauce, chutney or ranch dressing for dipping.

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.