Thanksgiving Special From FlipMe.com

Hi Guys,

I got a nice little email this morning and decided to share the wealth since I’m permanently coupled up!

If you remember earlier this year, I wrote a review for Examiner on the flirtation promotion, FlipMe:

FlipMe is an awesome mix of technology and old school calling cards, complete with eye catching designs and enough intrigue to keep him wanting more. The concept is that when a woman is out and sees a man (or woman) that she likes, she gives him a FlipMe card. She doesn’t have to tell her prospective amour her name, just give them the card.

For the full low down on FlipMe, click the article link below.

Take The Fear Out of Flirting with FlipMe.com

But in honor of it being Thanksgiving, FlipMe is offering a $10 discount off the cost of a pack of cards until Sunday November 25th. Enter promo code “thanks” at checkout. Normally the cost is $25 for a pack of 30 cards which comes with a 6 month subscription. In the email there were no restrictions listed, so I don’t believe you need to be an existing member to receive the discount. For full details click the image above.

Happy flirting y’all!

 

Jamaican Beef Patties Recipe – By Popular Request!

Ok..

So, I don’t normally post too much randomness on my business or writing blogs, but I’m a foodie and wanted to share this! I love cooking, and when I get the chance, I also like to watch cooking shows. Last week I was watching “Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn” and she had a show where she made beef patties from scratch.

Now as back story, I’m not much of a beef patty fan. Yes, I have West Indian ancestry…but I hate those beef patties that you get at the pizza shops and Golden Crusts here in NYC. They just taste, well mass produced. Anyway, I decided to give beef patties another go when I saw the Mad Hungry show. The results were quite yummy and according to the hubs, my filling beats Golden Crust’s in flavor, but he didn’t like that the dough from the homemade versions was a bit thicker. So, here’s my twist on LSQ’s version of the recipe. I’ve made notes where I substituted or added something different. The portions recommended in this recipe will make about 18 patties (each one being about half the size of the ones you get at Golden Crust/pizza shops).

Italics = addition, strikethrough = substitution:

Ingredients

• FOR THE PASTRY

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon of sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 3/4 cup ice-cold water

• FOR THE FILLING

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 italian pepper finely chopped
  • 4 mushrooms (any kind) finely chopped
  • 3 whole scallions, finely chopped
  • 1 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Scotch bonnet peppers (any color), seeded and minced I chose to use 1/2 a teaspoon of Hot Chili Oil (can be found in the Asian section of any grocery store)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt (I used pink himalayan salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 packet Sazon
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon oregano
  • a few shakes of Worcester sauce
  • a few shakes of rice vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric
  • 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• FOR THE EGG WASH

  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water

Directions

1. To make the pastry, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and curry powder in a large mixing bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the bowl. Working quickly and using your fingertips, squeeze together the flour mixture and butter and toss it together by scooping under the mixture with both hands. When the mixture resembles a very coarse meal, add the water to the bowl.
2. With floured hands, mix and squeeze the dough just until it forms a ball. Knead it once or twice to combine it fully (the less kneading, the better). Spread the dough into 2 pieces, flattening each into a thick pancake. Wrap in plastic and set them in the refrigerator to chill for at least 15 minutes. (The dough will keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Remove it from the refrigerator a few minutes before using it.)
3. For filling, mix together the beef, onion, scallions, garlic, peppers, and thyme in a large bowl. In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat until it is very hot, and add the beef mixture. Fry until the meat is brown and the moisture is evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add the curry powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring occasionally over high heat, allowing a crust to form on the bottom of the pan.
4. Add the water and stir the mixture, scraping the bottom to incorporate the browned crust. Add the breadcrumbs and stir. The consistency should be like a thick stew. Add more water as needed. Cover, reduce the heat to very low, and cook for 15 minutes. Set it aside to cool.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut each piece of the dough into 9 pieces. Using a rolling pin on a floured surface, roll out each piece of pastry into a rectangle shape with rounded edges. Spread a large spoonful of the cooled meat mixture over one side of the dough, leaving at least 1/2- to 3/4-inch border on the outside edge. Using your finger, paint water around the border. Fold the other side of the dough over, and roll and crimp the edges. Lightly press a floured fork around the edge of the patty. I forgot this step! ^_^
6. Place the patty onto a cookie sheet and repeat the procedure with the remaining dough. The patties may be covered in plastic and frozen at this point for later use. Brush each patty with the egg wash and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the patties begin to turn a golden color.