Brazilian recipe
Easy Homemade Savoury Pastry (Pastel assado)
A perfect recipe for golden, crisp-on-the-outside savoury pies filled with seasoned mince. An ideal choice for snacks or sharing platters.
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Ingredients
1 kg plain flour
500 g vegetable fat
1 tsp salt
290 ml chilled guaraná soda
1 kg minced beef
Salt and seasonings to taste for the meat
1 egg yolk for brushing
500 g vegetable fat
1 tsp salt
290 ml chilled guaraná soda
1 kg minced beef
Salt and seasonings to taste for the meat
1 egg yolk for brushing
Where to find ingredients
You can find all these ingredients at any local supermarket. Use the baking aisle for flour and vegetable fat, and the meat counter for quality minced beef. If you cannot find guaraná soda, which is specific to Brazilian shops, you may substitute it with a similar clear, lightly sweetened carbonated beverage, though the traditional flavour profile will differ slightly.
Preparation method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour, vegetable fat and salt.
- Gradually add the chilled guaraná soda, mixing until you achieve a smooth dough that binds together. Be careful not to overwork it.
- Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll each one out to form circles for your pastries.
- Prepare the filling by combining the minced beef with salt and your choice of herbs and spices. Do not cook the meat beforehand.
- Place a portion of the filling on one half of each dough circle and fold over to seal the edges, forming your pastries.
- Arrange the pastries on a baking tray.
- Brush the top of each pastry lightly with the beaten egg yolk.
- Place in an oven preheated to a high heat (approximately 200°C).
- Bake until the pastry is golden and cooked through. To check, insert a cocktail stick into one; if it comes out clean and the dough is cooked, they are ready.
Observations
The pastel assado is a classic of Brazilian home cooking, offering a practical and savoury alternative to deep-fried snacks. By baking the pastries in the oven, you achieve a lighter, crispier pastry texture that is just as satisfying and perfect for gatherings or a simple afternoon bite.
This method uses straightforward ingredients to deliver a consistent, crowd-pleasing result. The inclusion of guaraná soda in the dough—a unique local ingredient—is the secret to ensuring the pastry remains airy and tender, while the raw spiced mince filling cooks perfectly inside the parcel, sealing in all the juices and flavour.
This method uses straightforward ingredients to deliver a consistent, crowd-pleasing result. The inclusion of guaraná soda in the dough—a unique local ingredient—is the secret to ensuring the pastry remains airy and tender, while the raw spiced mince filling cooks perfectly inside the parcel, sealing in all the juices and flavour.
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