Caribbean Meat Patties
Photo Credit: @MapulasTable
If you don't feel like packing sandwiches patties are a MUST have addition to a road trip picnic basket.
INGREDIENTS
FILLING 2 lbs ground turkey 2 medium onions - chopped 1 small head garlic - chopped or 3 tsp garlic granules 3 tsp curry powder mixed to a paste with cold water Seasoning 2 Tbls fresh thyme or 1 tbsp dried thyme 1 tsp paprika, black pepper, salt, bouillon cube (for more deep flavouring) ¾ - 1 cup breadcrumbs Water 4 Tbsp canola (use the oils you prefer)
Fry onions and garlic until soft. Add ground turkey and fry until cooked through. Stir in curry paste and remaining seasoning. Cook for 3 minutes or so until well incorporated into the turkey. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add bread crumbs a-little-at-a-time, add 3-4 tbs of water +/- to make a moist but not runny mixture. Set aside to cool.
PASTRY 2 lbs plain white flour ¾ cup butter - very cold - cut into chunks ¾ cup Crisco - very cold - cut into chunks 1 tsp tumeric 1 ⅓ cup iced water 1 ½ tsp salt 1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp milk
MAKE PASTRY Put flour, tumeric and salt in a food processor and pulse three or four times. Add butter and Crisco. Pulse continuously until mixture resembles bread crumbs or slightly larger. Turn the processor to the on button and as it is running, slowly pour the water into the processor’s bowl. When the flour mixture and iced water begins to form a ball and leaves the side of the bowl, turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 to 2 minutes.
Cut into three portions.
Roll out pastry on a floured surface until quite thin. Cut rounds of pastry using the largest size cookie cutter or a small saucer. Place a spoonful of meat mixture in the centre of each circle. Dampen ½ the pastry circle. Fold over pastry to cover the meat. Seal edges with a fork (make sure to press down so that the fork’s imprint is visible on the pastry. Brush with egg wash and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees until golden.
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The pastry in these patties are rich and delicious as you will see when you make your first batch. Normally, I use a large cookie cutter which is approximately 4 inches, although you can use a slightly larger or smaller one.. Also, I prefer to use ground turkey thighs as a healthier option (dark meat) but ground beef is an option as well. If there’s any left-over pastry it never goes to waste! I roll it into a rectangular shape and spread with onions and garlic (sautéed in butter and olive oil) and top with cheddar cheese. Bake at same temperature for 20-25 minutes. If you prefer spicy patties, chop ½ of a red scotch bonnet pepper and sauté along with the meat mixture.
I once made these patties for a road trip for pescatarians. I replaced some of the turkey with pieces of grilled salmon and they were just as tasty!
