Jamaican Beef Patty Flatbread

I don't even know how this thing happened.

My work schedule was a bit wonky last week, and at the last minute I ended up working from home the entire week.  On or about Tuesday, I realized that I didn't have enough real food to sustain me much longer.  I had to go to the grocery store.  But, for various reasons (most of which had to do with something called "laziness"), I never made it.

And so began the process of existing on coffee, Babybel miniature cheese, and turkey wraps from the restaurant across the street.  Yeah.  Low points.

So I did what I do best: I raided my freezer.  In it, I found 1/2 lb of ground beef, two flatbreads, and frozen peas.  Things were not looking up...until I found a recipe that would let me use all of this good stuff.

OK, I tweaked a few things, but are you surprised about that?  You shouldn't be.

Growing up in the Bahamas, I have been eating Jamaican beef patties as a snack since I was a child.  They will always take me back to the time of carefree living and remind me of being back in Nassau.  I figured I should probably take a stab at my own version of this recipe.

Jamaican Beef Patty Flatbread

adapted from Jenny's Cookbook

makes 1-2 flatbread pizzas

Print Recipe

• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 1/4 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 lb lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons peas (if frozen peas are used, thaw them first)
• hot sauce to taste
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 2 flatbread pizza crusts

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2) In a nonstick pan, over medium heat, fry the onion in olive oil until golden brown.

3) Add the herbs and spices and garlic to the pan.  Cook for a minute.

 

4) Add the meat and the breadcrumbs. Stir frequently, until the meat is only slightly pink.

5) Pour in the peas and stir to incorporate.

 

6) Stir in the hot sauce and set aside.

7) Place the flatbread on the parchment paper covering the baking sheet.

8) Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the flatbread.

 

9) Pour the meat mixture on top of the cheese.

 

10) Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the flatbread is crisp and the goat cheese is softened.

11) Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.  Serve warm.

Um, how can this simple meal/snack that doesn't look like anything be so tasty!  If you are a fan of curry at all then you will love this.  Just do it.  I dare you to not like it.  The meat is smoky, the cheese is tart and creamy, and it's all delivered to you on a bed of crispy flatbread.  It's the perfect pizza.

If you aren't really into making this into a pizza, you could totally serve it over brown rice, in a pita, or (shock!) as an actual patty.  I just didn't do any of that because that would have required me to leave me apartment.  And it's cold out there.  Too cold. In all honesty though, I definitely recommend trying this out and hopefully you will also rejoice in the flavors of the islands just like I did.