Jamaican patties are delicious snacks that literally burst in your mouth because they often come in spicy flavors. Well at least that’s the type of patties I grew up with.
Tomato and beef mince are the most common type of filling. Although, I have tried ground chicken and tomatoes and even spicy chicken curry as well. Both are as delicious as the traditional recipe. The buttered filo pastry is a perfect contrast to the spiciness too. Make sure not to overcook the patties because we want them golden and crisp –with the pastry flaking a bit.
Makes 20
Ingredients:
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 small red pepper, cored, seeded and diced
30ml vegetable oil
350g lean minced beef
3 ripe tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
30ml tomato sauce
1 tablespoon mild curry powder
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
15 ml powdered chicken stock, dissolved in 15ml boiling water
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 400g pack fresh filo pastry or defrost a frozen one (pre-cut 12×7 in strips)
75g butter, melted
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the garlic, onion and pepper for 4-5 minutes until soft. Add the beef mince and cook it for another 5 minutes until brown. Stir in the tomatoes, curry powder, thyme and powdered chicken stock. Mix well. Season it with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 180C. After, lay the pastry on a flat surface and then cover it with damp cheesecloth. Place a sheet of filo pastry on the work area. Brush it with melted butter. Fold it in half lengthwise. Again, brush it with butter.
Put a tablespoon of meat filling at the center of the pastry strip. Fold over the filling to make a triangle. Seal it with melted butter. Fold over the edges to secure the meat filling. Repeat the process for the remaining ingredients. Place the patties on a lightly greased baking sheet and brush them with butter. Bake it in the oven for 18-20 minutes until they are crisp and golden brown.
Photo Courtesy Of: Â Canadacow