Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground beef or chicken
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

For the Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions:

Preparing the Filling:

1. Sauté the Meat: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
2. Add the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and scotch bonnet peppers to the skillet. Sauté until the onions are softened and the flavors are well combined.
3. Season the Filling: Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let cool.

Preparing the Dough:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add Water Gradually: Gradually add the water to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Assembling and Frying the Small Chops:

1. Roll Out the Dough: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
2. Cut the Dough: Use a round cookie cutter to cut out circles of dough.
3. Fill the Dough: Place a spoonful of the cooled meat filling in the center of each dough circle.
4. Seal the Dough: Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
5. Fry the Small Chops: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the sealed small chops to the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides.
6. Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried small chops from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
7. Serve: Serve the small chops hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup or chili sauce.

Tips:

• For a spicier flavor, add more scotch bonnet peppers or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
• To make the small chops ahead of time, you can freeze the uncooked dough and the meat filling.
• Experiment with different fillings, such as vegetable or cheese.
• For a healthier option, bake the small chops in the oven instead of frying them.

Enjoy your homemade small chops!