Brazilian recipe
Homemade Heart of Palm Pie with Shortcrust Pastry
A delicious, classic Brazilian savory pie featuring a buttery, crumbly crust filled with a creamy heart of palm filling. Perfect for a cozy lunch, dinner, or a sophisticated snack.
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Ingredients
300 g baking margarine or lard
500 g all-purpose flour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
Salt to taste
1 jar heart of palm
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 onion, grated
Nutmeg to taste
Black pepper to taste
500 g all-purpose flour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
Salt to taste
1 jar heart of palm
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 onion, grated
Nutmeg to taste
Black pepper to taste
Where to find ingredients
Heart of palm (palmito) can be found in the international or Latin aisle of most major supermarkets in cans or jars. If you cannot find it, specialized gourmet or international grocers are your best bet. All-purpose flour, eggs, and dairy are standard in every local grocery store. For the 'massa podre' crust, standard salted butter or high-quality lard found in the refrigerated section of the butcher or grocery store will provide the best results.
Preparation method
- Combine the margarine or lard with the flour, lemon juice, egg, and salt until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs
- Chill the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before you start rolling it out
- To make the filling, prepare a basic white sauce by whisking the milk and 3 tablespoons of flour in a pan, ensuring the flour is dissolved in a little cold milk first to avoid lumps
- Stir in the grated onion and half of the jar of heart of palm, which has been blended with 1/2 cup of milk
- Cook the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to thicken
- Season the sauce with salt, a pinch of nutmeg, and black pepper to your liking
- Fold the remaining chopped heart of palm into the sauce and mix well
- Line a baking dish with the dough, pressing it in evenly with your hands to cover the base and sides
- Pour the creamy heart of palm filling over the prepared crust
- Top the pie with the remaining dough, shaping it as you prefer to seal it
- Bake in a preheated oven at a high temperature for about 40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling
Observations
This heart of palm pie, or 'torta de palmito', is a staple of Brazilian home cooking, beloved for its comforting flavors and unique texture. The 'massa podre'—a traditional shortcrust pastry—is prized for being incredibly delicate and crumbly, providing the perfect buttery contrast to the rich, creamy heart of palm filling. It is a versatile dish that works beautifully as a main course for a light lunch, a starter for a special dinner, or even as an elegant afternoon treat.
While mastering the texture of the shortcrust pastry requires a gentle touch, the payoff is well worth the effort. The filling is simple to prepare, letting the mild, slightly sweet taste of the heart of palm shine through. Best enjoyed warm straight from the oven, this is a true piece of Brazilian comfort food.
Tips for success: Ensure your ingredients are cold when making the dough to maintain that signature flaky, melt-in-the-mouth texture. If the dough gets too soft while you are working it, pop it back into the fridge for a few minutes.
While mastering the texture of the shortcrust pastry requires a gentle touch, the payoff is well worth the effort. The filling is simple to prepare, letting the mild, slightly sweet taste of the heart of palm shine through. Best enjoyed warm straight from the oven, this is a true piece of Brazilian comfort food.
Tips for success: Ensure your ingredients are cold when making the dough to maintain that signature flaky, melt-in-the-mouth texture. If the dough gets too soft while you are working it, pop it back into the fridge for a few minutes.
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