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Caribbean Meat Pastry Bites 2

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer meat, Appetizers

Caribbean Meat Pastry Bites 2

Caribbean Meat Pastry Bites 2 takes its place on the home tables of the Caribbean, where the recipe is passed down with a knowing hand rather than a written guide. This dish is a staple at casual gatherings, a nod to the warmth of shared meals and the generous spirit of island hospitality. Each bite is a reminder of the family cook who crafts it, using ingredients familiar yet always distinct in their personal touch.

These pastries are a symphony of crisp and tender, where golden wrappers give way to a savory filling of seasoned ground beef and sweet onions. The salt and pepper are balanced to perfection, judged by instinct rather than measure, creating a taste that is both comforting and invigorating. Serve them hot, letting their aroma invite everyone to the table, ready to enjoy the simple pleasure of good food.

Ingredients

  • 300 gground beef
  • 1onion
  • 12pastry wrappers
  • for fryingoil
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by finely chopping 1 onion. This will ensure even cooking and a smooth texture in the filling. Set the chopped onion aside as you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  2. In a large skillet, heat enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and soft, releasing its sweet aroma, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add 300 g of ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small pieces, ensuring it browns evenly. Cook until the beef is browned and no pink remains, and the mixture is fragrant with the aroma of cooked beef and onions.
  4. Season the beef and onion mixture with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine, allowing the seasoning to meld with the meat. Taste a small amount to adjust the seasoning if necessary, ensuring a balanced flavor.
  5. Lay out 12 pastry wrappers on a clean, dry surface. Place a spoonful of the beef mixture in the center of each wrapper, being careful not to overfill. Fold the wrappers over the filling, sealing the edges by pressing them together firmly, ensuring no filling escapes during cooking.
  6. In a separate pan, heat more oil over medium-high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Carefully place the filled pastry bites in the hot oil, being cautious not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each side until golden brown and crispy, turning once, which should take about 2-3 minutes per side.
  7. Remove the cooked pastry bites from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. This will help keep them crisp. Serve the Caribbean Meat Pastry Bites immediately while they are hot and enjoy the savory, flavorful filling encased in a crispy pastry shell.
Cover of Authentic Caribbean Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Caribbean Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Caribbean Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Caribbean volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

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