Meat Patties

One thing I've always especially loved about my Grandma coming to visit is the amazing Trinidadian food she would make when she came over. Living in Los Angeles, authentic Caribbean fare is few and far between so her home-cooked Trini food has always been a special treat. One of my favorite snacks she makes is the meat patty. The meat patty is a product of colonialism and migration of East Indians, British, and Africans into the Caribbean. It developed after the British introduction of the English turnover, mixed with cumin and curry seasonings of East India and cayenne pepper from Africa. What's even better is that these delicious treats are really simple to make and will have your taste buds dancing in 30 minutes!!

 

How to make:

Basic 2 cup flour pie pastry
Add 1 1/2 tsp curry powder and salt and pepper to taste
to pastry recipe

Filling:
1 pound ground beef ( turkey or chicken )
1 small onion fine chopped
1/2 red bell pepper chopped
1 large clove garlic minced
1 tsp thyme
1 to 2 tsp curry powder or to taste
1 Scotch Bonnet chili pepper, seeded and fine chopped
OR few drops of hot pepper sauce to taste
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup water or beef broth
1/4 cup flour

Make standard pastry and chill wrapped about 4 hours or overnight.

Make filling by sautéing the onions, peppers, garlic and chili pepper until softened. Add ground meat and stir until browned and fully cooked. Add remaining ingredients, stirring until mixture is fully cooked and thickened. Remove from heat , adjust seasonings and cool.

Remove pastry from refrigerator and let soften at room temperature. Roll pastry out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out circles with a 4 inch circular cutter or cut size as desired. Place filling in center of circle and fold over edges to seal. Prick the edges with tinges of a fork. Bake 400F until golden , about 15 mins. for small pieces, 20 mins for medium pieces and 25 to 30 mins for larger pieces. Yields: 12 medium, 6 large or 24 appetizers.

I wear my fashion on my head.

Hats and headpieces seem to be all the rage these days. From the Royal Wedding to the streets of Los Angeles, everyone seems to be making a bold fashion statement with headpieces. Hats to headbands -- and everything in between-- with a little glue, feathers, beads and imagination you too can become a walking work of art.

Parisian Spring/Summer 2011 Haute Couture Lines Channelling Carnival

John Galliano for Christian Dior

Christian Dior

John Paul Gaultier

Amongst the catwalk of Parisian couture, bright vibrant gowns and dramatic headpieces are reminiscent of of my time spent at the Caribbean Carnival. Haute Couture takes fashion to the next level; from practical to a walking work of art.