Alright, let’s talk about this Jamaican beef patty with coco bread, you know, the kind that makes your belly happy. I ain’t no fancy chef, just a woman who knows good food when she tastes it.
First, the beef patty. It ain’t just some burger meat slapped between bread, no sir. You gotta start with the dough, what they call pastry dough. It’s gotta be flaky, you know, like when you bite into it, it crumbles a little? And golden brown, like sunshine on a summer day. They use all sorts of things for this dough, flour and salt, sure, but also some sugar, and this curry powder and turmeric stuff. Makes it smell real nice, I tell ya. And butter, gotta have butter, and cold water, like from the well. That’s how you get that flaky crust, see?
Then comes the beef filling. Now, this is where the magic happens. You need ground beef, of course. But it ain’t just ground beef, you gotta mix it with stuff. Onion and garlic, chopped up real fine, and ginger too, for a little kick. Salt and pepper, everybody knows that. But then you add thyme, that herby smell, and this allspice and curry powder again. And scotch bonnet pepper, if you like it spicy, just a little bit, don’t go overboard now. And scallions, those little green onions, and chicken stock to keep it moist, and breadcrumbs to soak up all the juices. And a little butter at the end, just for good measure.
Making the Beef Patty
- Fry up the onions, garlic, and ginger in some oil till they smell good.
- Add the ground beef and cook it till it ain’t pink no more.
- Throw in all them spices – salt, pepper, thyme, allspice, curry powder – and mix it all up.
- Add a little bit of scotch bonnet pepper, if you’re feeling brave.
- Pour in the chicken stock and let it simmer for a bit, then add the breadcrumbs.
- Let it cool down, then put a spoonful of this beef mixture on a piece of dough, fold it over, and seal it up tight.
- Bake them in the oven till they’re golden brown and crispy.
Now, about that coco bread. It’s just bread, but not like the regular bread you get at the store. It’s made with flour and yeast, like most bread, but they put coconut milk in it. That’s what makes it special, gives it that coconut flavor, you know? It’s soft and fluffy, perfect for soaking up all the juices from the beef patty. Some say this bread started in Jamaica, and I believe it, they know how to make good food over there.
Making the Coco Bread
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a big bowl.
- Warm up some coconut milk and pour it into the dry ingredients.
- Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic, like a baby’s bottom, my grandma used to say.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
- Punch it down and shape it into little loaves.
- Bake them in the oven until they’re golden brown and smell like heaven.
So, there you have it. Jamaican beef patty and coco bread. It ain’t hard to make, even an old woman like me can do it. You just need the right ingredients and a little bit of patience. And when you bite into that warm, flaky patty with the soft, coconutty bread, you’ll know it was all worth it. It’s a taste of sunshine, a taste of home, even if you ain’t never been to Jamaica. It fills your belly and makes you feel good, and that’s all that matters, ain’t it? Just good, honest food, that’s what I like.
Serving it up
Now, the best way to eat it, in my opinion, is to cut open that coco bread and stuff the beef patty right in there. Like a sandwich, but better. You get the spicy beef, the flaky crust, and the soft, sweet bread all in one bite. It’s messy, yeah, but who cares? Good food ain’t supposed to be neat and tidy. It’s supposed to be enjoyed, every last crumb.
And you can eat this anytime, for lunch, for dinner, even for a snack if you’re feeling hungry. It’s good hot, it’s good cold, it’s just good, period. So go ahead, give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Tags: [Jamaican Beef Patty, Coco Bread, Jamaican Recipe, Beef Patty Recipe, Coco Bread Recipe, Caribbean Food, Homemade Beef Patty, Homemade Bread]
