Flaky, Spiced, and Unmistakably Jamaican
Servings: 8 patties
Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 30 minutes to chill dough)
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp turmeric (for color and flavor)
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
- ½ cup cold water (plus 1–2 Tbsp more if needed)
For the Beef Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or medium)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 stalk scallion, finely sliced
- ½ Scotch bonnet pepper, minced (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- ½ tsp allspice (pimento)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (for thickening)
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- 1 Tbsp oil for sautéing
For Brushing:
- 1 egg, beaten (for golden crust)
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Step-by-Step
- 1. Make the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, turmeric, and curry powder. Add cold butter and rub it in with your fingers or a pastry cutter until crumbly.
Gradually add cold water and mix until the dough comes together. Don’t overwork it — it should just hold.
Shape into a disk, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- 2. Prepare the Filling:
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, scallion, and Scotch bonnet. Sauté 2–3 minutes.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
Stir in thyme, allspice, paprika, salt, pepper, and ketchup.
Add breadcrumbs and broth to form a thick, moist filling. Simmer 5–7 minutes. Cool completely.
- 3. Assemble the Patties:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Roll out dough to about ⅛ inch thick and cut into 6–8 circles (6 inches wide).
Place 2–3 Tbsp filling in the center of each circle. Fold over to form a half-moon shape.
Press edges with a fork to seal.
- 4. Bake:
Place patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush tops lightly with beaten egg.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and flaky.
Tips & Swaps
- Flaky Dough Tip: Keep everything cold — cold butter, cold water, and even chill your flour if it’s warm in your kitchen.
- Make It Spicier: Add extra Scotch bonnet or a pinch of cayenne.
- Meat Variations: Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even lentils for a vegetarian twist.
- Storage: Freeze unbaked patties for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for about 35–40 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- A cold Ting or sorrel drink
- Side of coco bread
- Fresh mango salsa or tamarind chutney
Optional plating: stack patties on a rustic wooden board with lime wedges and thyme sprigs for that WAM Flavors street-style island presentation 🥟🌿
