Guyanese Style Patties – Chicken And Beef!

An old-time favourite of many Guyanese is a delicious chicken or beef patty. Persons would usually have this as a light snack and it is enjoyed by everyone in the family especially the children. They find it a great pleasure to go down to the local bakery shops and buy some fresh, hot patties. Patties are also served at various gatherings, weddings, and events. Nevertheless, where ever it is served or sold, this pastry is a must-have for many Guyanese. As you read this article, it will show you how to make freshly baked chicken and beef patties.

Patties – Photo By stu_spivack – empanadas, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4961437

About Patties

A Patty is simple a meat turnover. Turnovers are a type of pastry with a filling, that is folded over, sealed and baked. In India, chicken patty is a staple that is prepared by encasing seasoned chicken in puff pastry. The chicken filling may be shredded or ground and the seasoning usually contains salt, pepper, and garlic. Chicken patties are round in shape to distinguish them from beef patties which are typically rectangular, and vegetable patties which are usually triangular, like Indian samosas which are served with chutney. In Guyana, patties are made in a similar way, the puff pastry is filled with chicken, beef or vegetable. It is then baked. Below will show you two tasty recipes.

Making Chicken Patties Guyanese Style

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken
• 1/2 lb shortening
• onions, chopped
• eschalot, chopped
• 1 tsp curry powder/turmeric
• 1/4 tsp ground all-spice
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 pk vegetables
• 1 egg
• pepper
• Salt to taste
•  water, cold

Method

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt and curry powder or turmeric if you don’t have at hand.
2. Rub in the shortening and add cold water until mixture forms a dough.
3. Separate dough into about a dozen pieces then cover and put to refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. During this time you will prepare the filling. Start by seasoning the chicken with black pepper and allspice.
5. Process finely in a food processor.
6. Heat oil in a skillet and saute onions.
7. Add chicken and cook until brown.
8. Add mixed vegetables and pepper. Remove from heat
9. Remove dough from the fridge, divide dough in half and roll flat.
10. Line a cupcake pan with flat dough, leaving half of the pieces to cover the tops.
11. Beat egg in a small bowl.
12. Fill the cupcake pan with the chicken and vegetable mix.
13. Cover with a piece of flat dough and lightly brush with the egg mixture.
14. Seal neatly and press edges with a fork.
15. Baken Chicken patties until golden brown for about 30 minutes.

Beef Patties Guyanese Style

Beef Patties

Ingredients for Filling:

• 1 lb of ground beef
• 1 (8 oz) can mixed vegetables
• 2 beef bouillon (cubes)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 leaves thyme, chopped
• 4 wiri wiri peppers
• 3 sprigs celery, chopped
• 2 stalks of eschalot, chopped
• 1 tsp all-spice
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• salt to taste

Ingredients for Dough:

• 3 cups of flour
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• water, cold

Method

1. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
2. Rub in the shortening and butter.
3. Add cold water and knead until mixture forms a dough.
4. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes
5. Season ground beef with salt, allspice, wiri wiri pepper, and coriander
6. Heat oil in a skillet and saute onion.
7. Add beef and allow to cook.
8. Add thyme, celery and eschalot and vegetables. Mix thoroughly.
9. Remove pastry dough from fridge and roll with a rolling pin.
10. In the center, scoop the beef filling.
11. Cover with another piece of dough and seal edges.
12. Press neatly with a fork for a nice design.
13. Grease a pan and put patties.
14. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Watch This: Guyanese Chicken Patties- Episode 101

Chicken & Beef Patties In Guyana

The recipes above will leave you with some mouth-watering patties. Follow the recipes carefully and make your very own. Choose which you would like, whether it is chicken or beef. If you are a vegetarian, then you can fill the puff pastry with vegetables and have a vegetable patty. Whichever you choose to make or buy, you are sure to enjoy this tasty treat made in Guyana.

Article References:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_patty
• http://www.guyanadining.com/beef-patties/
• https://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/09/18/the-scene/tastes-like-home/tastes-like-home-patty/

Last Updated: 2020-07-22