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Caribbean Meat Pastry Bites 3

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer meat, Appetizers

Caribbean Meat Pastry Bites 3

Caribbean Meat Pastry Bites are a staple in the home kitchens across the islands, especially when families gather for Sunday lunches or festive occasions. This dish reflects the essence of Caribbean home cooking, where the salt is measured by instinct and the richness of the filling is a nod to the tradition of generous hospitality. Each bite is a reminder of the warmth and comfort found around a family table.

Expect a satisfying crunch from the golden pastry encasing a savory filling of seasoned ground beef and finely chopped onions. A sprinkle of fine sea salt and a dash of black pepper bring out the robust flavors, creating a delightful contrast with the flaky exterior. Serve these bites hot, straight from the pan, to truly enjoy their irresistible texture and taste.

Ingredients

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

Method

  1. Begin by finely dicing 1 onion. This will ensure even cooking and a uniform texture in the filling. Set the diced onion aside and prepare your workspace by laying out 12 pastry wrappers, ready for assembly later.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a generous splash of oil for frying. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion to the skillet. Stir occasionally until the onion becomes translucent and starts to develop a light golden color, releasing its sweet aroma.
  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 cooks evenly. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink, with a slightly caramelized crust forming on some of the pieces.
  4. Season the beef and onion mixture with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the mixture. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, ensuring a balanced flavor that complements the pastry.
  5. Lay out the pastry wrappers on a clean surface. Spoon a small amount of the beef mixture onto the center of each wrapper, being careful not to overfill. Fold the wrappers over the filling, sealing the edges by pressing them firmly together, creating a secure pocket.
  6. In a clean skillet, heat more oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Carefully place the filled pastry bites into the hot oil, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side until the pastry is golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side, ensuring even cooking.
  7. Once the pastry bites are golden and crisp, remove them from the skillet and drain briefly on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve the Caribbean Meat Pastry Bites immediately, while they are hot and the pastry is still flaky and crunchy.
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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