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Brazilian recipe

Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

Master the art of creating a perfectly thin and crisp dough for your fried pastries at home with this straightforward recipe.

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30 min preparation 10 min cooking 6 portions 1207 product views
Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon salt
200ml warm water
Your choice of pre-cooked and chilled filling
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted lard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
500g all-purpose flour

Where to find ingredients

You can source these basic pantry staples at any local Namibian grocery store, such as Shoprite or Spar. Wheat flour, vinegar, and oil are found in the baking and cooking aisles. For the filling, you can use ground meats or cheeses from the butchery or deli sections.

Preparation method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
  2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and vinegar.
  3. Gradually pour in the warm water while mixing by hand until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.
  4. Transfer the dough to a clean, smooth surface and knead vigorously until the texture is soft and homogeneous.
  5. If needed, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or a dusting of flour if it feels too sticky.
  6. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it 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 spoonful of your chosen filling in the center and fold, pressing firmly along the edges to seal completely.
  10. Deep-fry the pastries in hot oil until they are golden brown.
  11. Drain any excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

Observations

This dough for 'pastel' is a staple in Brazilian kitchens, celebrated for its signature crunch and simplicity. The secret to achieving a professional-quality finish at home lies in kneading the dough until it is completely smooth and rolling it out as thinly as possible. Following this method ensures that your pastries turn out golden and light, without absorbing excess oil during frying.
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Preparation method

Step-by-step images

Step 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transfer the dough to a clean, smooth surface and knead vigorously until the texture is soft and homogeneous.

Transfer the dough to a clean, smooth surface and knead vigorously until the texture is soft and homogeneous.
Step 5

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

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

Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it 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 spoonful of your chosen filling in the center and fold, pressing firmly along the edges to seal completely.

Place a spoonful of your chosen filling in the center and fold, pressing firmly along the edges to seal completely.
Step 10

Deep-fry the pastries in hot oil until they are golden brown.

Deep-fry the pastries in hot oil until they are golden brown.
Step 11

Drain any excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

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

Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

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