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Brazilian recipe

Crispy Homemade Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel : receita prática)

Master the art of making thin, crispy, and non-greasy homemade pastel dough. This simple recipe yields a versatile pastry perfect for your favorite savory fillings.

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30 min preparation 10 min cooking 6 portions 1633 product views
Crispy Homemade Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel : receita prática)

Ingredients

1 tbsp salt
200ml warm water
Pre-prepared and chilled filling of your choice
2 tbsp vegetable oil or melted lard
1 tbsp white vinegar
500g all-purpose flour

Where to find ingredients

You can find all-purpose flour, white vinegar, salt, and vegetable oil at local supermarkets or general grocery shops in Monrovia. For high-quality lard, inquire at your local community butcher shop.

Preparation method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
  2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the oil (or melted lard) and white vinegar.
  3. Gradually pour in the warm water while incorporating the mixture by hand until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.
  4. Transfer the dough to a flat, smooth surface and knead vigorously until the texture becomes soft and uniform.
  5. If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or a dusting of flour if too sticky.
  6. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 20 minutes.
  7. Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.
  8. Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.
  9. Place a portion of your preferred filling in the center of each piece and fold over, pressing the edges firmly to seal.
  10. Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they reach a golden brown color.
  11. Drain the excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

Observations

This pastel dough is a staple of Brazilian street food culture, highly prized for its distinctively snappy texture and ease of preparation in a home kitchen. The key to achieving that professional-grade finish is kneading the dough thoroughly until it becomes silky and smooth, followed by rolling it out into thin, uniform sheets. This preparation method ensures that each pastel turns out golden and crisp, without absorbing excess oil during deep-frying.
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Preparation method

Step-by-step images

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
Step 2

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the oil (or melted lard) and white vinegar.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the oil (or melted lard) and white vinegar.
Step 3

Gradually pour in the warm water while incorporating the mixture by hand until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.

Gradually pour in the warm water while incorporating the mixture by hand until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.
Step 4

Transfer the dough to a flat, smooth surface and knead vigorously until the texture becomes soft and uniform.

Transfer the dough to a flat, smooth surface and knead vigorously until the texture becomes soft and uniform.
Step 5

If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or a dusting of flour if too sticky.

If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or a dusting of flour if too sticky.
Step 6

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 20 minutes.

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 20 minutes.
Step 7

Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.

Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.
Step 8

Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.

Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.
Step 9

Place a portion of your preferred filling in the center of each piece and fold over, pressing the edges firmly to seal.

Place a portion of your preferred filling in the center of each piece and fold over, pressing the edges firmly to seal.
Step 10

Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they reach a golden brown color.

Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they reach a golden brown color.
Step 11

Drain the excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

Drain the excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.
Final result

Crispy Homemade Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel : receita prática)

Crispy Homemade Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel : receita prática)

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