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Caribbean Cheese Pastry 2

Serves 4 to 6 Pastry vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

Caribbean Cheese Pastry 2

Caribbean Cheese Pastry 2 is a cherished fixture at home tables across the islands, where generations have perfected the art of balancing rich, savory ingredients without the constraints of a formal recipe. It's a dish that thrives on intuition, with salt measured by feel and butter added lavishly. This home-cooked delight is often prepared for casual gatherings, where the focus is on sharing good food and even better company.

Expect each bite to be a harmonious blend of buttery, flaky pastry cradling a cheesy core that melts in the mouth. The cheese, chosen for its bold flavor, melds beautifully with the rich dough, creating a comforting and indulgent experience that reflects the warmth and generosity of Caribbean hospitality.

Ingredients

  • 300 gflour
  • 200 gcheese
  • 100 gbutter
  • 1egg

Method

  1. Start by taking the 100 g of butter out of the refrigerator and letting it soften at room temperature. This will make it easier to incorporate into the flour later. Also, bring the egg to room temperature by leaving it out for about 15 minutes. This helps it mix more smoothly into the dough.
  2. Grate the 200 g of cheese finely and set it aside. Use a cheese that melts well, like cheddar or a local Caribbean cheese, to ensure a rich flavor throughout the pastry.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 300 g of flour with the softened butter. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This step ensures that the butter is evenly distributed, creating a flaky pastry.
  4. Add the grated cheese to the flour and butter mixture. Mix gently with your hands or a spatula until the cheese is evenly distributed. This will infuse the dough with cheesy goodness in every bite.
  5. Crack the room temperature egg into a small bowl and beat it lightly. Gradually add the egg to the flour, butter, and cheese mixture, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, add a tablespoon of cold water to help it come together.
  6. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for about a minute until it is smooth. Avoid overworking the dough to maintain its tenderness.
  7. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the butter to firm up, which helps the pastry hold its shape during baking.
  8. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into desired shapes using a pastry cutter or knife.
  9. Place the cut pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven until the pastries are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, about 15-20 minutes. The aroma of the melting cheese will fill your kitchen, signaling they are ready.
  10. Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm to enjoy the full flavor and flaky texture, perfect for sharing around the table.
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.

Available soon on Amazon…

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