Jamaican Beef Patties

Steps

1. In a bowl, combine 4 cups of all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, turmeric powder, curry powder, solid fat (shortening/lard/butter), and margarine.
2. Distribute the shortening and margarine evenly within the flour mixture to achieve a crumb-like texture.
3. Add ice cold water gradually and knead until all ingredients come together nicely. The ice cold water helps keep the fats solid.
4. Knead just long enough for the dough to form, then place it in the refrigerator to rest for about 30 minutes.
5. While the dough rests, prepare the beef filling by adding one pound of ground beef to a pot.
6. Mix until all pink is gone. Season with salt, black pepper, and jerk seasoning.
7. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, fresh scallions, thyme, and chopped Scotch Bonnet pepper to the meat mixture.
8. Stir in soy sauce mixed with water (be mindful of salt content).
9. Mix in bread crumbs to absorb liquid while keeping the beef moist. Taste and adjust seasonings.
10. If the texture is too chunky, transfer about half of the filling into a mini blender and pulse until smooth and juicy.
11. Allow the prepared beef filling to cool completely.
12. Once the dough has rested, dust it with flour and divide it in half. Work with one half at a time.
13. Roll out the dough thinly. Add frozen shortening and margarine to the rolled dough.
14. Fold the dough over itself multiple times (three layers of solid fat) and roll again; this layering technique creates flakiness.
15. Dust with flour as needed while folding, then place the dough back in the refrigerator for another 15-20 minutes to cool down and firm up.
16. Roll out the cooled dough. Scoop portions of the beef filling onto the dough.
17. Use a pastry wheel or cutter to cut and seal the dough around the filling to form patties.
18. Place the formed patties on a greased baking tray.
19. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 35 to 40 minutes.