Caribbean Mince Pies Recipes

JAMAICAN MEAT PIE (JAMAICAN BEEF PATTY)

Steps:

• Start by pulsing the flour, Butter, Turmeric, Salt, and Sugar in a food processor until it's well combined and the flour appears crumbly.
• Gradually introduce the water a little at a time and pulse process it, till it comes together as a ball.
• Wrap the dough with a plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes (the longer the better) while you prepare the filling.
• Add the oil in a Pan. Once it's hot, add the Onion, Green Onion, diced Habanero, and minced garlic. Then stir-fry until the onion becomes translucent.
• Add the ground beef and break up the clump with a wooden spoon. Then brown the meat on medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in the breadcrumbs and season with Salt, Bouillon cube, black pepper, Thyme, Curry powder, allspice, and Paprika.
• Add 1 cup of water to the meat. Then allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes until the liquid is almost evaporated. Add more water, stock or adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Remove from heat and allow it to cool down to room temperature before using it.
• Divide the dough into two parts, keep one half in the fridge while you work on the other half.
• Roll out the dough thinly with a rolling pin and use a pie cutter or any circular object to cut out the circles (the first half should yield about 5 to 6 circles).
• Scoop in about 2 tablespoons of the filling on each cut-out pie, then dip a finger inside the water and moisten the edge of the circular pastry all around.
• Fold it into a half-moon and seal it up by crimping the edge with a fork. If the fork is a little sticky, just dip it in water before crimping the pies.
• Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the second half then place the meat pies inside a tray lined with parchment paper and brush each Meat pie with the egg wash.
• Bake inside a 375°F preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or till the top crust is firm and golden brown.
• Allow to cool on a wire rack and serve warm.
• ∗∗∗This recipe should yield about 15 Pieces of pies.

JAMAICAN MEAT PIE

Steps:

• In a food processor or by hand, mix together, flour, salt, sugar, turmeric blend well Add the butter, shortening, followed by vinegar and water in small amounts, pulse until combined and dough holds together in a ball.
• Place the dough on a well -floured surface. Divide it into 2 and roll it out. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until ready to use
• Using a large-mouth glass or bowl about 4-5" cut out circles by gently pressing on the dough and releasing it, shaping the meat pie dough. Continue cutting out the dough until it all has been cut. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to use.
• Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a saucepan, followed by onions, garlic, paprika, thyme curry, chili powder, white pepper, allspice, and chicken bouillon. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
• Then add ground meat and breadcrumbs and continue cooking for about 10 or more minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add about ½ cup of water.
• Finally, add green onions and parsley and adjust for salt and pepper seasoning.
• Remove from stovetop and let it cool.
• Scoop a heaping tablespoon of filling into each circle, and brush with egg white or white around half of the circle. Fold over twist with fingers gently to seal the edges of the meat pie.
• Another way of sealing is by pressing the tines of a fork along the edges of the dough.
• Preheat the oven to 375℉.
• Carefully place each pie on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes .
• You may freeze them to bake later.
• Best served warm.

MINCE PIES

Steps:

• Place 375g plain flour and 260g softened unsalted butter in a bowl and rub together to a crumb consistency.
• Add 125g caster sugar and 1 large beaten egg, and mix together.
• Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and fold until the pastry comes together, be careful not to over mix.
• Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for 10 mins.
• Scoop the large jar of mincemeat into a bowl and add 2 segmented satsumas, 1 finely chopped apple and zest of 1 lemon.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
• Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick.
• Using a round cutter (about 10cm), cut out 16 bases and place them into muffin trays. Put 1½ tbsp mincemeat mixture into each. Brush the edge of each pie with a little beaten egg.
• Re-roll out the pastry to cut 7cm lids and press them on top to seal. Glaze with the beaten egg, sprinkle with the extra caster sugar, then make a small cut in the tops.
• Bake the mince pies for 15-20 mins until golden brown. Leave to cool before releasing them from the muffin trays and dusting with a little more icing sugar before serving.

MINCE PIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight., For filling, in a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 3-5 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Add apples, apricot, brown sugar, raisins, apple juice, vinegar, orange zest and seasonings. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer until apples are tender, 15-17 minutes. Stir in rum. Remove from heat; cool slightly., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut 20 circles with a floured 2-3/4-in. round biscuit cutter. Top half the circles with 1 tablespoon filling. Top with remaining circles; press edges with a fork to seal. Cut slits in top. Brush tops with egg; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Repeat with remaining dough and filling., Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

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.

MINCE PIES

Steps:

• Mince pies freeze very well, taking some of the headache out of all that Christmas preparation. If I make lots of these before Christmas, I freeze them raw and then cook them on the day. Cooked mince pies can be stored in a biscuit tin or airtight box and warmed through gently before serving. They are perfect with a glass of spicy mulled wine or a cup of coffee for a festive snack.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F/200 degrees C/Gas mark 6. Brush the tin with melted butter.
• On a floured work surface, roll out the pastry to 1/8-inch/3 mm thick and, using the 2 1/2-inches/6 cm cutter, cut out 24 circles for the bases. Then use the smaller plain/fluted cutter or star cutter to cut-out 24 circles/stars for the lids. Re-roll the trimmings, if necessary.
• Line the holes of the cake tin with the larger pastry rounds. Fill each base with a teaspoon mincemeat and top with one of the smaller rounds or stars. Brush the tops of the mince pies with the beaten egg.
• Bake in the oven for 10 to 13 minutes until pale golden. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the tin and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Dust with icing sugar (confectioners') to serve.
• This basic pastry is used in many popular recipes, from mince pies to quiches; it's also one of the easiest pastries to start with. The uncooked dough can be frozen or kept in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
• Shortcrust Pastry:
• Put the flour, salt and butter in a food processor and whiz briefly. Add half the beaten egg and continue to whiz. You might add a little more egg, but not too much as the mixture should be just moist enough to come together. If making by hand, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs then, using your hands, add just enough egg to bring it together. With your hands, flatten out the ball of dough until it is about 3/4-inch/2 cm thick, then wrap in cling film or place in a plastic bag and leave in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or, if you are pushed for time, in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Variations: Sweet Shortcrust Pastry: In place of the pinch of salt, use 1 tablespoon icing sugar (confectioners'). Soured cream shortcrust pastry: Replace the egg with 2 tablespoons sour cream or creme fraiche, adding just enough to bring it together.
• This delicious mincemeat will keep happily in a cool dark place for at least a year. If you are making your own suet (the fat that surrounds the beef kidney), make sure that every trace of blood has been removed before you whiz it in the food processor, otherwise it will cause the mincemeat to go off.
• Mincemeat:
• Put the apple chunks in a small saucepan with 1 teaspoon water, cover and cook over low heat for about 8 to 10 minutes until the apples are cooked down to a pulp. Allow to cool.
• Mix the apples with the orange zest, orange juice, lemon zest, lemon juice, suet, raisins, sultanas, currants, candied peel, dark brown sugar, almonds, mixed spice, and whiskey in a large bowl and put into sterilized jars.* Leave to mature, if possible for at least 2 weeks before using.
• Cut the fruit in 1/2 and squeeze out the juice. (Reserve the juice for another use, perhaps home-made lemonade.) Put the peel into a large bowl, add the salt and cover with cold water. Leave to soak for 24 hours.
• Next day, throw away the soaking water; put the peel in a large saucepan and cover with fresh cold water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer very gently for about 3 hours or until the peel is soft.
• Remove the peel from the pan and discard the water. Scrape out any remaining flesh and membrane from inside the cut fruit, using a teaspoon, leaving the white pith and rind intact.
• In a clean large saucepan, dissolve the sugar in 1 3/4 pints/1 litre of water, then bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the peel and simmer gently for 30 to 60 minutes until it looks translucent (shiny and 'candied') and the syrup forms a thread when the last drop falls off a metal spoon. Remove from the heat and allow to stand for 20 to 30 minutes to slightly cool.
• Put the candied peel into sterilized glass jars* and pour the syrup over. Cover and store in a cold place or in the refrigerator. It should keep, stored like this, for at least 3 months.

JAMAICAN BEEF PATTIES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, add the flour, turmeric , salt, and vegetable shortening. Rub the shortening into the flour using your fingers until there are tiny pieces of shortening completely covered with flour and it has a sandy texture.
• Pour in 1/2 cup of the ice water and mix with your hands to bring the dough together. Keep adding ice water 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time until the mixture forms a smooth dough.
• Cut the dough into 2 large pieces. Wrap each and refrigerate for 30 to 40 minutes. Alternatively, before refrigerating, divide the dough into 10 to 12 individual pieces-use a food scale if you want them to be the same size.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the beef in a large bowl. Add the pepper and allspice. Mix together and set aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the onions and sauté until translucent.
• Add the chili, if using, thyme, and garlic. Continue to sauté for another minute. Season with salt to taste.
• Add the ground beef to the pan and stir to mix, breaking up any large clumps. Let cook until the meat is no longer pink.
• Add the ketchup. Adjust the seasoning, adding more salt if necessary. Pour in the water or broth, stirring to combine.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated and whatever is remaining has reduced to a thick sauce.
• Fold in the green onions. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
• Position 2 racks in the upper and lower third of the oven and heat to 350 F. ​ Generously flour the work surface. Unwrap 1 of the pieces of dough and roll it out into a very large circle.
• Cut out 3 circles with a bowl or dish of approximately 5 inches in diameter. If you divided the dough into 10 to 12 small balls, roll them all out into a circle of approximately 5 inches in diameter.
• Place about 3 heaping tablespoons of the filling onto one half of each circle. Dip a finger into a bit of water and moisten the edges of the pastry.
• Fold over the other half and press to seal. With a fork, crimp the edges to close. Cut off any extra to give the patties a uniform look.
• Place the finished patties on two parchment-lined baking sheets and continue to work until you have rolled out all of the dough and used all of the beef. Place in the fridge until ready to bake.
• Just before baking, beat the egg and the remaining 1 tablespoon of water together to make an egg wash . Brush the assembled patties with egg wash.
• Bake patties until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes, flipping baking sheets in the oven halfway through cooking. Cool on wire racks. Enjoy warm.

MINCE PIES

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients for the mincemeat in a bowl and add brandy or rum to cover the fruit. Stir well, then let it rest overnight. The next day, stir again and then divide among sterilized preserving jars.
• To make the pastry, mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Rub the butter into the mixture until it is the consistency of fine breadcrumbs. Add the water and egg yolk and knead until the mixture comes together into a smooth dough. Alternatively, use a food processor to make the pastry. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Preheat your oven to 350° F. Grease the tart molds with butter and cover the base of each with a small circle of parchment paper. Dust with flour.
• Briefly knead the pastry until smooth, then pat it into a rectangle and roll it out to a thickness of ⅛ inch. Use a round cutter with a diameter of 2¾ - 3¼ inches to cut out pastry circles. Gently push the pastry rounds into the tart molds. Prick the base or each tart shell three times with a fork.
• Knead the remaining dough back together and roll it out to cut out the lids-you can choose whichever shape you like, but stars are the most traditional.
• Divide the 8 ounces of filling among the tarts and press down gently. Place the lids on top and brush with the egg wash.
• Bake in the middle of the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm or cold.