Creative Leftovers... Chilli Con Veggie Patties...

I have been eyeing the piece of homemade pastry sitting in my freezer for months, stored after being leftover from my Jamaican patty-making session. And now I get a chance to use it.... enter Chilli Con Veggie Patties, using remaining chilli as a filling from last night's meal! I love that when it happens... like boy meets girl and heaven is made :) 

If you use chilli just make sure you remove the excess water, or thicken with cornstarch or flour, otherwise the contents will make the pastry soggy. Check out my Jamaican Beef Patties recipe to make the pastry.

Adding some scotch bonnet pepper sauce to give the chilli a super kick!

Preheat the oven to 400F. Cut dough into equal-sized pieces. Using a rolling pin on a floured surface, roll out each piece into a rectangular shape with rounded edges. Spread two large spoonfuls (or one large spoonful for appetizer size) of the cooled mixture over one side of the dough, leaving a 3/4-inch border on the outer edge. Rim the edge with water on your finger.

Fold the other side of the dough over, and roll and crimp the edges. Press a fork around the edge to seal if you wish.

Brush each patty with egg wash and bake for 20 minutes, or until patties begin to turn a golden brown colour.

The curry in the pastry really gives the chilli another layer of flavour! Hot and crispy! Delicious!

When you have leftovers, look around your fridge, freezer and pantry for an alternative dish... you just never know what goodness you can come up with. My friend was hungry after a night of partying and decided to throw some leftover Chinese chow mein into a tortilla wrap and bingo.... Chino Locos (Chinese meets Mexican burritos restaurant) was born :)