Jamaican Beef Patties (Beef in Pastry)

SquadLeader's Note:

Delicious Caribean-style "hamburger." Off the recipe goldmine site. YUMMM!!!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

Filling

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 fresh chili pepper, seeded and minced
• 3 green onions with tops, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs, coarse
• 1/2 cup beef stock or 1/2 cup chicken stock

Pastry

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter or 10 tablespoons margarine, cut into bits
• 1/4 cup water, ice-cold

Directions:

1. To make the filling: In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the beef, onion, garlic, chili pepper and scallions.
3. Saute, stirring constantly until the mixture gives off its moisture, about 8 minutes.
4. Add the remaining filling ingredients and simmer, stirring often, for 20 minutes. The filling should be moist but not wet. Set aside to cool.
5. To make the pastry: Sift the flour, curry powder and salt into a large mixing bowl.
6. Mix in the butter and rub with your fingers until it is the consistency of cornmeal.
7. Add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just holds together.
8. Cover, refrigerate for 1 hour. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
9. On a lightly floured board, roll out the pastry about 1/8-inch thick. Using a 4-inch round cookie cutter, cut the pastry into disks.
10. Place 1 tablespoon of the filling slightly below the center of each round.
11. Fold over the pastry to form a half moon and seal the edges with the tines of a fork.
12. Place the patties on a lightly greased baking sheet.
13. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.