Food Around the World: Jamaican Beef Patties

I only made two recipes the month of August.  Partly, because my dad was in the hospital for a few days.  My daughter, Kelly of What's Cooking-Kelly, and I made these Jamaican Beef Patties together one night for dinner for the Food Around the World.  Kelly did the pastry and I did the filling.  We are great with team work in the kitchen.

This recipe only makes ten.  Really wish there were more...they were so yummy!  I will definitely make these again!

JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES
PASTRY 
2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon turmeric powder 
1/2 teaspoon curry powder 
1 dash salt 
1/4 cup margarine 
1/4 cup shortening 
1/3 cup water 

FILLING 
1 tablespoon olive oil 
4 -6 garlic cloves, finely chopped 
1 large onion, finely chopped 
1 lb lean lean ground beef 
1 tablespoon curry powder 
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder or 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 
1 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs 
1/2 cup chicken stock 
2 green onions, finely chopped 

FILLING:. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally until soft and translucent.  Add garlic, cook 2 minutes. Add beef, curry, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned stirring constantly. Stir in stock and breadcrumbs. Simmer until liquid is absorbed. (aprox.10 minutes) Texture should be soft and moist. Add green onions. 


PASTRY:. In a large bowl, combine flour, turmeric, curry, and salt. Cut in 1/4 cup margarine and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until mixture forms a ball. Shape dough into a log, and cut into 10 equal sections. Roll each section into a six inch circle (approximately 1/8 inch thick). Cover with damp towel. Spoon equal amounts of filling into each pastry circle. Fold over making a half circle and press edges together. Use a fork to press edges, and brush the top of each patty with beaten egg. Cook at 350 degrees for 25- 30 minutes.

Food Around the World: Jamaican Coconut Rock Buns

This month's country from the new blog club, Food Around the World is Jamaica.  I decided to make Coconut Rock Buns.  I found the recipe on Jamaican Foodie blog.  They smelled really delicious with the nutmeg and cinnamon.  However, they were on the wet side and flattened like cookies.  The taste was good, tho.  If I had known they would flatten, I would have made them smaller.  Or, added some more flour.

My first entry into Food Around the World was not a success, but it tasted pretty good.

This is what they should look like:


Makes 6
2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 Tbsps. raisins (plumped in hot water and drained)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 tsp grated nutmeg 
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 medium eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tsps. milk
1/2 cup shredded coconut 

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven at 360°F / 190°C. Grease baking sheet.
2. Using the finger tips, rub fat into sifted flour until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3. Add sugar, raisins, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and coconut, mix in evenly.
4. Beat eggs and vanilla. Pour into flour mixture and combine then add milk slowly.
5. Combine mixture with the hands until a moist dough is formed.
6. With a spoon and a fork, divide dough into equal pieces and shape each piece into a “rocky cone” on the greased baking tray.
7. Bake for 15 minutes or until done.