Best Caribbean Meat Pockets Recipes

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.

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.

CARIBBEAN MEAT POCKETS

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, 1 tablespoon curry powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a mixing bowl. Mix in the vegetable shortening until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Stir in the egg and water until the dough is no longer crumbly. Wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate while preparing the filling.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion, green onion, garlic, and jalapeno peppers until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ground beef, and cook until browned and crumbly, about 15 minutes. Drain excess fat from the pan, then stir in the thyme, 2 teaspoons curry powder, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and the 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until the water has evaporated. Transfer the beef mixture to a food processor, sprinkle in the bread crumbs, and process until the mixture has become a paste.
• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to just under 1/4-inch thick. Cut 20 6-inch circles out of the dough. Divide the beef mixture among half of the circles, mounding in the center. Place the unfilled circles over the filling, and use a fork to seal the edges closed. Arrange on the baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and hot on the inside, about 25 minutes.

CARIBBEAN BEEF PATTIES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and cook for 5 mins. Add the garlic and beef, turn up the heat and cook until the meat is browned. Add the potato, half the turmeric, the purée and thyme, plus 200ml water. Cover and simmer for 15 mins, then remove the lid and cook for 5 mins more. Add the hot pepper sauce and leave to cool.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Roll out the pastry to the thickness of a £1 coin. Cut out 6 x 15cm circles, using a small plate as a guide. Divide the mince between the circles, piling it up on one side. Mix the egg with the remaining turmeric, brush around the edge of each circle, then fold over and use a fork to seal the edges. Arrange on a baking tray lined with baking parchment, brush with a little more egg and bake for 20-25 mins. Serve with a green salad.

CARIBBEAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In large bowl, combine pork, water chestnuts, green onions, ginger, 1 tsp soy sauce and egg.
• Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll meatballs in cornstarch.
• Pour oil for frying into a wok or deep pan about 11/2 inches deep. Heat oil to 375F or until a chunk of bread sizzles.
• Add meatballs to oil just a few at a time so not to lower the oil temperature.
• Cook until browned all over, drain on paper towels.
• When done with the meatballs, pour out oil. Wipe out wok or skillet with paper towels.
• Return wok to high heat and pour in 1 tbls oil.
• Add green pepper and stir-fry 1 minute.
• Reduce heat to low and add meatballs and water. Cover and simmer 20 minutes or until meatballs are done in center.
• In a small bowl, combine orange juice, chili sauce, 1 tbls soy sauce, and honey. Pour over meatballs and continue cooking for another 2 minutes.
• This dish goes very well over the rice.