Jamaican Beef Patties

Jamaican Beef Patties

Makes about 24 to 30 pastries

(Jamaica)

                                                                               Preparation time:  20 minutes

                                                                               Cook time:           30 minutes

                                                                               Total time:            50 minutes

Ingredients

dough (or use 2 packages of commercial 9-inch pie crust):

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

1 dash salt

1/4 cup margarine

1/4 cup shortening

1/3 cup water

flling:

2 tablespoons butter

1 small onion, finely diced

1 ½ cups ¼-inch diced potatoes

1 pound ground beef

1 teaspoon curry powder, or to taste

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

1/2 cup beef broth

1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten with ¼ teaspoon curry powder

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

cook the filling:

Par boil the diced potatoes in sufficient salted water to cover the potatoes completely.

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, add the onions and diced potatoes and sauté them until the onions are soft and translucent.  Stir in the ground beef, the  curry powder, the thyme,   salt,  black pepper, and the cayenne. Cook until beef is evenly brown, stirring constantly. Stir in beef broth and bread crumbs. Simmer until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

mix the dough and form:

In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, and pinch of salt.  Into those ingredients, cut in the 1/4 cup of margarine and shortening until the mixture resembles a coarse crumb.   Stir in the water until mixture comes together and forms a ball.  Shape the dough ball into a 10-inch log, and cut into 10 equal sections. Roll each section into a six inch circle (approximately 1/8 inch thick). Set aside.

                                                                       Or

One at a time, roll out each of the pie crust to about 1/8-inch thickness.  Cut the rolled out dough into as many 4 1/4-inch circles as you can, reserve the dough scraps.  Continue until all 4 9-inch crusts have been rolled out an cut into 4 ¼ -inch circles.  Gather up the dough scraps, combine them  and roll them out into a 1/8-inch sheet and cut out as many 4 ¼-inch circles as you can.  Set aside the circles of dough.

form the pastries:

Working with one of the circles of dough at a time, spoon about one tablespoon of filling into the center of the pastry circle. Fold over and press edges together, making a half circle. Using  a fork  press the edges together to seal.  Place the pastry half circle on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Continue until all the filling and pastry circles are use up.  Brush the top of each patty with the beaten egg/curry mixture.

bake the pastries:

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

service:

Serve as an accompaniment to your favourite meal or as an hors d'ouvres accompanied by mango chutney or your favourite dipping sauce.

Sweet Tomato Jam

Sweet Tomato Jam

makes 3 cups

(America)

                                                                Preparation time:  20 minutes

                                                           Cooking time:  45 minutes

                                                                     Total cook time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

2  pound  plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 ½ cups light brown sugar

1 tablespoons honey

1 lemon, zested and juiced 

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Preparation

prepare the tomatoes:

Cut a cross in the end of each of the tomatoes.  Place the tomatoes in boiling water to blanch, about 1 minutes, you'll know the tomatoes are ready to be removed when the edges of the inscribed crosses curl up.  Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately immerse the blanched tomatoes in a pre-prepared ice bath.  One by one, peel the tomatoes and place the peeled tomatoes in a bowl.

mill the tomatoes:

Several at a time place the peeled tomatoes in a food mill positioned over a large bowl and process the tomatoes through it.  Continue to process until all the tomatoes have been processed.  Processing through a food mill will remove all the seeds.

cook the jam:

Combine the milled tomatoes, the sugar, the honey, the lemon juice and zest and the crushed red pepper flakes in large heavy bottomed saucepan over medium high heat  and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring often.   Continue simmering, uncovered,  until the mixture reaches about 220° F. on an candy thermometer or becomes thick and syrupy, about 45 minutes.

jar the jam:

Remove from the heat and place jam into sterilized jam jars and cover or use immediately.

service:

Jam can be used as a spread for crackers, as a sandwich spread, or as an accompaniment for ham, turkey, or pork.

Moussaka

Moussaka

Serves 8

(Greece)

                                                                         Preparation time: 45 minutes

                                                                         Eggplant fry time:  20 minutes

                                                                         Lamb fry time: 8 minutes

                                                                         Bake time: 45 minutes

                                                                         Total cook  time:  2 hours

Ingredients

3 medium eggplants (1 pound each), sliced diagonally into 1/4 inch thick slices

1 1/2 tablespoons of salt

2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch dice

1 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging

2 medium onions, coarsely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 pounds lean ground lamb

3 tablespoons tomato paste

3 tablespoons brandy

2 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/4 teaspoons thyme

1 can (35 ounces) Italian peeled tomatoes, drained well and chopped

1 pound feta cheese, crumbled

4 eggs

1 cup heavy cream

Preparation

prepare the eggplant and potatoes:

Place a colander over a plate, layer eggplant slices in colander sprinkling each layer liberally with salt.  Let stand 30 minutes.  This will remove the bitterness from the eggplant.  Meanwhile, in a  medium sauce pan, cook the potatoes in boiling water until tender (about 10 minutes).  Drain and set aside.

fry the eggplant:

Pat the eggplant dry with a paper towel.  In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over high heat.  Dredge the eggplant slices in the flour; shake off any excess.  Add the eggplant to the skillet in batches and fry over high heat, using up to an additional 3/4 cups of oil as necessary, until all the eggplant slices have been browned (about 2 minutes per side).  Drain the fried eggplant on paper towels to remove excess oil.  Reserve the largest and most attractive slices to top the Moussaka.

cook the onions and lamb:

Wipe the skillet clean.  Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil and heat over moderate heat.  Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and golden brown (about 5 to 10 minutes).  Add the lamb and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until no traces of pink remains (about 10 minutes).

bring it all together:

1.  Transfer the lamb mixture to a colander and drain, then return it to the skillet.  Stir in the tomato paste, brandy, cinnamon, thyme, and pepper.  Cook over moderate heat for 1 minute, stirring to blend flavors.  Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the tomatoes, reserved potatoes, and the feta cheese; stir well to combine.

2.  Preheat oven to 350º.  Line the bottom and sides of a 5- to 6-quart, shallow baking dish with the fried eggplant slices, overlapping them slightly.  Reserve about 30 of the best looking eggplant  slices for the top of the Moussaka.

3.  In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs and the heavy cream.  Spoon half the meat mixture into the lined baking dish,  pour on half the egg and heavy cream mixture, and top with ½ the fried egg plant.  Repeat with the remaining meat and egg mixture.  Cover with the reserved eggplant slices, overlapping them slightly in a decorative pattern.

bake the Moussaka:

Bake until the egg mixture is set and the top is nicely browned (about 45 minutes). 

service:

Let the baked Moussaka stand for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.  Slice the Moussaka in 8 equal sized portions and serve accompanied by Spanakopita, Pitakopita and/or a Greek salad.  

Crispy Pork Chops in Curry Sauce

Crispy Pork Chops in Curry Sauce

serves 4

(Taiwan)

The first time we tasted this meal was on our trip to Taiwan to meet our daughter-in-laws family.  Unlike American pork chops, these delicious breaded and fried scallopini are fragrant with the subtle taste of Chinese five spice supported by the taste of the Char Siu Sauce they are marinated in, the longer they are marinated the more fragrant they become.   When we visit our son and Taiwanese daughter-in-law in Southern California, this is one of the Asian specialties we look forward to.

                                                       Preparation time:  up to 2 hours

                                                       Chop cooking time:  up to 20 minutes

                                                       Golden Curry Sauce cook time:  15 minutes

                                                        Total cook time:  35 minutes

Ingredients

Taiwanese crispy pork chops:

4  –  ¾ inch, boneless pork chops

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup Taiwanese michiu wine (substitute Japanese Mirin)*

1/8 teaspoon  white pepper

1/8 teaspoon  five-spice powder*

1 teaspoon Char Siu Sauce* (Chinese barbecue sauce [DO NOT substitute American Barbecue sauce])

3-4 cloves garlic, micro-planed

1 cup Panko bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

2/3 cup sweet potato flour* (acceptable substitutes are tapioca  or corn starch)

Peanut or vegetable oil sufficient for frying

golden curry sauce:

2 tablespoons butter

¼ to ½ cup chopped onion

¼ to ½ cup sliced carrots

1 2/3 cups water

1 3.5 ounce golden curry sauce mix (I recommend S&B brand medium hot)*

Preparation

Taiwanese crispy pork chops:

1.  One at a time, place each pork  chop in a large, re-sealable plastic bag and pound  the chop into a thin (1/2 to ¼ - inch thick) scallopini and set aside in the refrigerator. 

2.  When all the pork chops have been pounded, create a marinade by combining the soy sauce, the michiu wine, the white pepper, the five-spice, the barbeque sauce, and the micro-planed in a small mixing bowl.  Once the marinade has been created, pour it into a large, re-sealable plastic bag.  Place the pork chops into the bag and seal, squeezing out as much air as possible.  Allow the pork chops to marinate for several hours, turning the bag every so often, to allow all the flavours to develop.

3.  When the pork chops have marinated for several hours, build a breading station by placing the sweet potato starch, the beaten egg, and the Panko bread crumbs in three separate plates.  Bread each of the pounded pork chops  by first dredging each in the sweet potato flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the Panko bread crumbs

4.  Once each of the pork chops have been breaded on both sides  heat enough vegetable oil to fill  a large, heavy bottomed frying pan to a depth of about 1/2 inch over medium high heat and fry the pork chops, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and cooked through.

golden curry sauce:

1.  Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan.  Add the chopped onions and sliced carrots and saute until the onions are slightly browned and the carrots are softened,  about 5 minutes.

2.  Add water and bring to a boil, as soon as the water comes to a rolling boil remove the pan from the heat.  Break up the golden curry mix into pieces and add to the water, carrots, and water stirring until all the pieces of curry mix are dissolved.   If the sauce seems too "tight" add a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce "loosens up" to your satisfaction.

 service:

Serve by plating cooked, plain white rice on each of 4 service plates, place one Taiwanese crispy pork chop on top of that on each plate, and top each plate with ¼ of the golden curry sauce.  Serve hot.

* easily found on the Asian or Oriental products aisle in most supermarkets

Caramelized Onion, Gorgonzola, and Pear Pizza

Caramelized Onion, Gorgonzola, and Pear Pizza

Makes 2 – 10 to 12-inch pizzas

(Italy)

                                                                                  Prep time: 3 hours

                                                                                  Pizza cook time: 12 minutes

Ingredients

authentic pizza dough:

2½ cups Bread Flour, plus additional for work surface

1 cup Warm (105° F) Water

1 Envelope Active Dry Yeast

¼ cup Honey

¼ cup Extra-virgin Olive Oil

4 teaspoons Kosher or sea salt

toppings

2 pounds onions, sliced

½ stick butter

2 or 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons of sugar

3 large pears, sliced length-wise, core section removed

1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

Balsamic Vinegar

2 ounces of Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese, crumbled

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

authentic pizza dough:

1.  In a 2 cup measuring cup, combine the water and honey stir to combine and sprinkle the yeast over it. Let sit until the mixture is foamy, about 10 minutes.  If the yeast doesn't "proof" (get "foamy") pour it out and start again it is important to have a live yeast mixture.

2.  Meanwhile place the flour and the salt into a sifter and sift it into the medium bowl  of a stand mixer.  Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the olive oil and the "proofed" yeast mixture.  Turn the mixer, fitted with dough hooks,  to knead  and turn it on.  Continue kneading (mixing) until the dough comes cleanly away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball around the dough hooks (scrap the sides of the bowl to move flour into the path of the hooks as needed).

3.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth but still slightly tacky (add flour gradually as needed to reach the slightly tacky state), 3 to 5 minutes.

4.  Lightly oil a large mixing bowl with about 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to oil the ball on all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap cloth and set in a warm, draft-free place until nearly doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

5.  After the dough  has doubled in size, remove the dough from the bowl and form it into a 12-inch log.  Divide the log in half and form each half into equally sized dough balls.  Lightly oil a 2 large mixing bowl with about 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Place each dough ball into its own bowl and turn to oil the ball on all sides. Cover each bowl with plastic and set in a warm, draft-free place until the nearly double in size again, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

toppings:

1.  In a large sauté pan melt the butter and add the olive oil so the butter doesn’t burn.  When the oil and butter mixture is hot add the sliced onions, and sprinkle with the sugar.  Sauté the onion slice until they begin to brown.  

2.  Stir in 4 tablespoons of the Balsamic vinegar and continue sautéing until the onions are caramelized.

3.  Slice each half pear in half and slice the resulting quarters length-wise into thin slices of pear.  Gently toss the pear slices with the lemon juice so they don't turn brown. 

Constructing and baking the pizzas:

1.  Place an appropriately sized pizza stone on the middle shelf of your oven and preheat the oven to 450° F.

2.  Place one of the dough balls on a lightly floured work surface and flatten it into a thick disk then,  with your fingertips and palms and  working from the center of the disk out to the edges, press it into a thin disk of dough approximately 10 to 12-inch round and about 1/8 inch thick (if necessary use a rolling pin to achieve the 1/8-inch thickness [don’t worry if the pizza isn’t perfectly round . . . that’s called “rustica” and it’s the way “real” Italian pizza looks in Italy]).  If you're really brave you can try the spin and toss method of forming the pie (this dough is perfect for it) just remember to use your knuckles when spinning and tossing . . . fingertips can cause holes).  Sprinkle flour over the surface of this thin disk (this will become the bottom of the pie when you place the pizza base on the peel  in the next instruction).

3.  Distribute some corn meal over the surface of a pizza peel (this will act as “ball bearings” and allow the dough rounds to move easily over the surface of the peel) and transfer the formed pizza base onto the peel insuring that the lightly floured side is on the bottom.  Evenly spread ½ of the caramelized onions over the pizza, evenly arrange ½ the pear slices on the pie,  evenly crumble ½ the Gorgonzola over the pie and finally evenly distribute ½ the shredded mozzarella.

4.  Gently shake the peel to insure the pizza moves freely (if it doesn’t gently lift the edges of the pizza and distribute additional corn meal until it does), using the peel slide the pizza onto the stone and bake the pizza until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 12 minute in a 450°F oven. Remove from the oven, slice into 8 wedge shaped slices and serve.

5.  Repeat with the remaining dough and remaining  ½ toppings and cheeses. 

Perfumed Soba Noodle Soup

Perfumed Soba Noodle Soup
serves 4

(America)

A delicious, fragrant pork soup based on Asian traditions and flavours.

                                                                   Preparation time:  15 minutes

                                                                  Pork cook time:  40 minutes

                                                                  Broth cook time: 30 minutes
                                                         Total  time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

4  boneless pork chops, 3/4 –inch thick

½  cup Char Siu Sauce (Chinese BBQ sauce)

8 cups chicken broth

1 fresh ginger finger, peeled and sliced into 6 quarter sized coins

3 star anise

2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced

1 teaspoon of soy sauce

1/2 pound soba noodles (dried)

1 pound baby spinach

accompaniments

2 cup fresh bean sprouts

4-5 scallions, sliced, white and green parts

4-5 white mushrooms, caps only, diced into ¼-dice

2-3  Thai red chilies, seeded and thinly sliced, to taste

1 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

1-2 fresh limes, cut into quarters

condiments

Sambal Oelek or Sriracha sauce

Soy Sauce

  

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350° F.

cook the pork:

1.  In a small glass baking dish brush the pork with Char Siu  and roast it in middle of the oven preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the center of the chops registers 160° F.  

2.  Remove pork from the oven to a cutting board  and allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes.   After the  pork has rested, slice the chops crosswise into thin slices and the slices in half diagonally, keep the chops together for a better presentation.

prepare the broth:

Place the chicken broth, ginger coins, star anise, soy sauce and garlic cloves in a large saucepan bring broth to a boil  over high heat.  Once the broth comes to a rolling boil, remove the pan from the heat and allow the broth to seep, covered, for at least 30 minutes. Pour broth through a sieve into another large saucepan, discard the solids.

prepare the noodles:

1.  While broth is steeping take the opportunity to prepare the soba noodles.  in a large pot  bring 3 1/2 quarts salted water to a boil and add noodles.  When water returns to boil add 1 cup cold water and bring to boil again. Repeat procedure one time and, when the water comes to a boil the second time, reduce heat to simmer and simmer the noodles for 5 minutes, or until they are just tender.

2.  Drain noodles into a colander  and rinse under cold water.  

service:

1.  Place the bean sprouts, the cilantro, sliced chilies, sliced scallions, diced mushrooms and quartered limes into separate bowls for the guests to add to their broth along with Sambal Oelek or Sriracha sauce and soy sauce as condiments .

2.  Bring the broth back  to the boil and add the baby spinach and reduce the heat to simmer.  Simmer the broth for 2 to 5 minutes until spinach collapses.

3.  Divide the noodles among 4 large soup bowls, and divide the broth amongst the soup bowls.  Invite the guests to garnish their individual soup bowls with the accompaniments of their choice, including a squeeze of lime and place their sliced pork chop on top of the garnished soup and enjoy.

Spaghetti all'Amatriciana

Spaghetti all'Amatriciana

serves 4

(Italy)

Spaghetti all'Amatriciana is a traditional Italian pasta dish based on guanciale(dried pork cheek) and spicy tomato sauce found on the menus of many high-end Italian restaurants.  While guanciale may be hard to come by pancetta or even thick-cut American bacon make acceptable substitutes.  When I prepare this dish I follow my mother's tradition and include a 2-inch cube of Parmigiano-Reggiano to the sauce while it's cooking, it adds great flavour to the sauce and makes a great snack for the chef . . . . just remember to remove it when you remove the sprigs of Rosemary and Sage and before you puree or mash the tomatoes!

                                                                             Prep time:  15 minutes

                                                                             Cook time:  2 hours 15  minutes

                                                                             Total time:   2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound dried spaghetti, cooked al dente according to package directions

12 ounce of  Guanciale*  cut into ¼-inch strips (or substitute pancetta or thick-cut American bacon)

2 tablespoons  unsalted butter

2 medium carrots, finely chopped

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, micro-planed

1 sprig fresh rosemary

1 sprig fresh sage

½ cup red wine

1 (28-ounce) can San Marzano whole, peeled tomatoes, roughly crushed by hand and including the juices

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Kosher or sea salt, to taste

¼-1 teaspoon red chile flakes, to taste

grated Pecorino Romano cheese

roughly chopped fresh Italian flat leaved parsley

* un-smoked Italian bacon prepared from pig's jowl or cheeks

Preparation

render the Guanciale:

In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the Guanciale (bacon) and cook it until its fat renders and the bacon is crisp, about 15 minutes.   Transfer the rendered bacon, using a slotted spoon,  to a dish lined with paper towels to drain.  Leave the rendered fat in the pan.

prepare the sauce:

1.  Add butter, the  carrots and the onions to the pan.  Season with salt, and saute, stirring, until soft, about 6 minutes.

2.  Add half the garlic, the rosemary and the sage, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

3.  Add wine, and cook, stirring, until it is evaporated, about 5 minutes.

4.  Add the crushed tomatoes and their juices, and bring the contents of the pan to a boil and immediately reduce the heat under the pan to medium-low and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced and thickened, about 2 hours.

5.  After the sauce is thickened remove and discard rosemary and sage stems.  To puree the sauce American style, allow the sauce to cool slightly to prevent an unpleasant blender accident and transfer the cooled sauce to a blender.  Puree the sauce and then return it to the pan. If, however, you prefer your sauce as Italians like, slightly chunky, use an old fashioned potato masher to mash (crush) the roughly crushed tomatoes further into chunks you prefer.  Stir in ¾ of the reserved bacon, along with remaining garlic and oil, pepper, and chile flakes; keep warm.

cook the pasta:

Cook the pasta per package directions in heavily salted water until it is al dente, about 8 minutes.  Drain the pasta reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. 

  

service:

Add the drained spaghetti to the pan with sauce; toss to coat.  If the pasta seems too tight (dry) for your taste, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water, a little at a time, until the sauce loosens up.  Divide the  sauced pasta  amongst warmed serving dishes,  garnish each service with some of the remaining reserved bacon, some of the pecorino cheese, and parsley.  Serve immediately accompanied by the grated Pecorino-Romano cheese