QUICK EASY MEATPIE / EMPANADA / JAMAICAN PATTIES RECIPE

One of my favorite pastries is meatpie as the britains call them or empanada as spanish call them. I used to make the dough from scratch and I had to find a easy way to make them without going through so much hassle. And the answer is "Pie Crust" YES! Any pie crust from the grocery store would do , I prefer Pillsbury or the Trader Joe's pie crust usually by the freezer or next to the butter aisle.

Ingredients:
1 Pie Crust package
1 lb of ground turkey, chicken or beef
1 1/2 cup of veggie mix -(carrots, peas and corn)
1 potato
2 tbsp of oil
1/2 cube of knnor chicken or flavor god everything seasoning
1 teaspoon of thyme, curry and oregano
dash of black pepper
1 egg beaten with a touch of milk added
 A small bowl  of water set aside


Directions:
1. Peel the potato, cut into cubes and boil in water. Once soft, drain the water out
2. Get your pie crust ready, easy way is to cut into half or 4 depending on how small you want the pie to be. see below.

3.  Add the oil in a frying pan preferably non stick. Make sure your beef/chicken/turkey is completely thawed out. For vegans, you can used only veggies and potato.
4.  Add your protein and saute until slightly brown still pink but not completely cooked because we want them to fully cook in the pastry. Then add the veggies and potato. If your potato is a little big, then feel free to smash it a little to break it up. Then add your spices.

5. Turn off the stove and move the pan away from the heat. Allow to cool down
6. Then add the filling in the center of each crust. see below

7.  Take the bowl of water and with clean hands or a brush, slightly dampen the space where the filling is by the edge with water, why? to seal the edges basically.
8. Fold the crust over and then take a fork to seal again gently see below

9. Once all are sealed with the fork, then slightly pierce the center of the pie, to create holes and the steam to come out. 

10. Then brush the pie with the beaten egg mixture.

Bake for 15-25 minutes at 360. Once baked it will be brown in color. Bon Appetit!

Have fun you can also use them to make sausage rolls, fill them with fruits or anything you wish.

JERK CHICKEN

Jamaican  Jerk Chicken (Serves 4)
Ingredients:

• Whole chicken 3-4 lbs. (cut in half or quartered)
• ¼ cup of Sea salt
• 2 fresh limes
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 teaspoons ground black pepper
• ½ cup chopped green onion (scallions)
• 2 Tbsps. brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 Tbsp. Orange Zest
• 5 small jalapenos
• 2 Tbsps. Extra Virgin Olive Oil and ¼ cup white vinegar  -Vinegar is optional

Directions: Rub chicken with lime juice and sea salt to coat the whole chicken. In a blender mix all jerk seasoning ingredients  for 10 – 15 seconds. Rub mixture over chicken covering the entire chicken.  Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
You can bake/ broil at 350 for about 45 minutes, I actually prefer broiling it because the skin gets crispy.
Preheat grill to medium heat and cook chicken slowly until fully cooked, flipping occasionally so that all sides cook even.  Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve this with rice and fresh veggies for a complete meal. Or Skip the Rice if on low carb. Enjoy!

Easier Way - Use  Walkerswood's traditional Jerk Seasoning and follow the instructions. Easy and no blending or mixing.

CHICKEN SOUVLAKI AND GREEK SALAD

A salad and a protein for lunch or dinner is not just healthy but filling as well. I love greek food especially feta cheese, olive oil and guess what? greek foods are healthy and great for you.



SPICE RUB FOR CHICKEN
ingredients:

• 4 bamboo skewers (soak them in water for 30 minutes)
• 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 TB oregano
• 1 TB thyme
• 1 clove of garlic, grated
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ground sea salt and black pepper

directions:
1. combine lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme and garlic in a small bowl.
2. add chicken to bowl. stir it around so the sauce covers the chicken. cover the bowl and throw it in the fridge. let it marinate for as long as you can handle. this is a great time to soak your skewers!
3. remove chicken from fridge and thread chicken onto skewers
4. dust with paprika, salt & pepper
5. grill chicken skewers on outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium-high heat. make sure to turn them periodically, it will take about 2-3 minutes per side. (cooking all four sides)
6. remove from grill and set aside.

GREEK DRESSING



You can buy good quality store bought or use the one below:
ingredients:

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 TB extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp Greek Seasoning - Cavender - available on amazon
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• sea salt & black pepper, to taste

directions:
1. mix all ingredients in a blender (or use an immersion blender). alternately, you could mix it well with a fork.
2. Set aside

SALAD
ingredients:

• 1 bag (about 4 cups) fresh express 5 lettuce mix
• 15-20 kalamata olives
• 2 small vine ripe tomatoes, cut into quarters
• 1/4 of a small red onion, sliced thin
• 1/2 of a cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

directions:
1. get two plates or large bowls. divide salad mix among bo2. divide both dishes.
2. divide olives, tomatoes, red onion and cucumber among both salads.
3. sprinkle each salad with 1/4 cup feta.
4. place two chicken souvlaki skewers atop each salad.


Enjoy!