JAMAICA PATTIES These spicy meat pies originally hail from Haiti and now made on every island. They are, deservedly, one of the most popular dishes in Caribbean restaurants 2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 tablespoon Curry Powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or margarine Ice water 1 onion 2 green onions 1 Scotch Bonnet or jalapeno chilli seeds removed 3/4 pound ground beef 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 3/4 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme 1 teaspoon Curry Powder Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 cup water. To prepare pastry, sift together flour, 1/2 tablespoon Curry Powder and salt, then cut in shortening until mixture resembles peas. Add enough ice water to hold dough together. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigeratefor at least 12 hours. To make filling, finely chop onion, green onions and chillies, then mix these seasonings thoroughly with ground beef. Heat oil in a skillet. Add meat mixture; cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in breadcrumbs, thyme, 1 teaspoon Curry Powder, salt and pepper. Mix filling well in pan, then add ½ cup water. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes. Cool filling. Take dough out of refrigerator 15 minutes before using. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured board. Using a saucer for measurement, cut into 4 inch circles. Sprinkle a little flour on each circle before stacking and cover stack with a damp cloth. Preheat oven to 400F (205C). Setting out the first pastry circle, top with 1/12th of filling to cover half of it. Fold other half over and seal edge by pressing down with a fork. Repeat with remaining Filling and pastry circles. Place patties on 2 baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Makes about 12 patties. home