Shrimp Patties
Pastry:
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 tablespoon curry powder
1/4 cup solid shortening
1/4 cup margarine
1/3 cup cold water
1 egg beaten (to brush pastry after filled)
Sift the flour, curry powder and salt into a large bowl. Cut in the shortening and margarine until crumbly. Add the cold water to make a stiff dough. Lightly flour a wooden cutting board and roll out the dough until about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out 8-inch circles, using a cereal bowl. Cover with wax paper or damp cloth until ready to use. You can place the dough in the refrigerator overnight. If you do refrigerate, remove the dough at least 15 minutes before using.
12 raw medium to large shrimp chopped into ½ inch piece
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoon soy sauce
3/4 teaspoon jerk seasoning, OR 2 teaspoon allspice (you can substitute ¼ teaspoon cinnamon plus ¼ teaspoon nutmeg if you do not have either of the latter)
Mix all together.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Uncover the dough circles and place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling on half of each. Moisten the edges of the dough with water and fold the dough circle over the filling. Pinch the edges closed with a fork. Lightly brush the pastry with a mixture of the egg and water. Bake on a lightly greased baking sheet for 30 to 40 minutes or until the pastry are golden brown.
“Peas” and Rice
1 medium sized can red kidney beans
1 can coconut milk
2 cups of uncooked rice
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 scotch bonnet or other hot pepper (whole, do NOT chop)
Drain beans. Add coconut and water to saucepan with a lid to equal four cups of liquid. Add remainder of ingredients, other than pepper. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Once boiling, stir, place whole pepper on top, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook 30 minutes. Remove pepper before serving.
FUN FACTS:
There are 27 species of birds found ONLY in Jamaica.
Snakes are extremely rare on Jamaica. They were killed off by the mongoose, imported to exterminate canefield rats.
Sprinter Usain Bolt, the three time Olympic gold medalist and thrice world record holder for the fastest man on earth, is a Jamaican!