"Staat yuh mawin' rite wid sum meat pies!" (Start your morning right with some meat pies!) as most Belizeans would say.
These pies are an ideal pocket food as they are made to eat on-the-go and readily accessible in both quantity and price, usually costing $1.50 BZ ($0.75 USD). Meat pies are purely dough stuffed with chicken or beef, and seasoned sauce; golden crisp on the outside, warm, soft and, juicy on the inside. It's like a soup explosion in your mouth!
While the debate over who makes the best meat pies in Belize continues daily; for those visiting, we recommend these shops as your go-to for trying them: Dario's Meat Pie, Belizean Meat Pies, Ladyville Meat Pies, and Pou's Meat Pie. You decide who's the winner. The best time to get them is when they're hot and freshly baked. The scent coming from the meat pie shops will draw you in!
FILLING
1 pound ground sirloin
1 teaspoon salt
� teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
� teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon red recado paste, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
1/3 cup green bell peppers, diced
� cup onion, diced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
� cup water
DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in a saucepan. Season meat with salt, black pepper, thyme, allspice, and recado. Fold in onion, bell peppers and garlic until combined. Place in saucepan and stir. Add � cup water and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Dissolve 1 to 2 teaspoons flour in 2 tablespoons water and add to meat mixture to thicken. Cook approximately 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened but not dry. Set aside.
CRUST
6 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
11 tablespoons shortening
1 � to 2 cups water
Milk, for basting
Preheat oven to 400F. Combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening and add water, slowly mixing until dough holds together and is pliable. Roll half pastry out on a floured surface. Using a round cookie cutter, cut out 24 rounds. Press into individual large cupcake pans. Add 1 tablespoon meat filling to each. Roll out the remaining dough on floured surface and cut out 24 additional rounds. Place on top of each meat pie and seal edges with a form. Brush with milk. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes 24
CaribbeanLifestyle.com