Brazilian recipe
Heart of Palm Pie with Homemade Shortcrust Pastry (Torta de palmito com massa podre)
A delicious Brazilian savory pie featuring a delicate, crumbly pastry and a rich, creamy heart of palm filling. Ideal for any occasion.
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Ingredients
300 g culinary margarine or lard
500 g all-purpose flour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
Salt to taste
1 jar of heart of palm
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 grated onion
Nutmeg to taste
Pepper to taste
500 g all-purpose flour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
Salt to taste
1 jar of heart of palm
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 grated onion
Nutmeg to taste
Pepper to taste
Where to find ingredients
You can find hearts of palm (palmito) at major supermarkets in the canned goods or international aisles. All-purpose flour, margarine, and fresh aromatics like onions and lemons are available at any local grocery store or produce market.
Preparation method
- Prepare the pastry by mixing the margarine (or lard), flour, lemon juice, egg, and salt until a coarse, crumbly texture is achieved.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- For the filling, prepare a white sauce in a saucepan using the milk and 3 tablespoons of flour, ensuring you whisk in a little cold milk first to prevent lumps.
- Stir in the grated onion and half of the heart of palm jar blended with 1/2 cup of milk.
- Cook the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly.
- Season the sauce with salt, nutmeg, and pepper to taste.
- Fold in the remaining heart of palm, which should be chopped, and mix well.
- Line a baking dish with the pastry, pressing it with your hands to cover the base and sides evenly.
- Pour the prepared heart of palm filling over the crust.
- Top the pie with the remaining dough, shaping it as desired to seal the filling.
- Bake in a preheated high-temperature oven for approximately 40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Observations
This heart of palm pie, known in Brazil as 'torta de palmito', is a culinary classic that stands out for its 'massa podre'—a traditional shortcrust pastry celebrated for its fragile, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The contrast between this buttery, crumbly crust and the savory, creamy heart of palm filling makes for a truly comforting dish.
While mastering the pastry requires a gentle touch, the process is straightforward and deeply rewarding. The filling is designed to highlight the subtle, delicate taste of the heart of palm, resulting in a balanced and sophisticated meal. Whether served as a light main course, a starter for an elegant dinner, or a savory snack, this homemade pie is sure to impress.
While mastering the pastry requires a gentle touch, the process is straightforward and deeply rewarding. The filling is designed to highlight the subtle, delicate taste of the heart of palm, resulting in a balanced and sophisticated meal. Whether served as a light main course, a starter for an elegant dinner, or a savory snack, this homemade pie is sure to impress.
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