Brazilian recipe
Creamy Palm Heart Savoury Pie (Empadão de palmito)
This classic Brazilian savoury pie features a golden, buttery crust filled with a rich and creamy palm heart stew. Perfect for family gatherings and special meals.
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Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 eggs
2 tsp salt
1 to 3 tbsp water
3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, grated
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
100g black olives, pitted and chopped
300g heart of palm, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
Fresh herbs (cheiro-verde), to taste
200g table cream (creme de leite)
1 tbsp cornstarch
Salt, to taste
1 egg yolk, for egg wash
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 eggs
2 tsp salt
1 to 3 tbsp water
3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, grated
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
100g black olives, pitted and chopped
300g heart of palm, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
Fresh herbs (cheiro-verde), to taste
200g table cream (creme de leite)
1 tbsp cornstarch
Salt, to taste
1 egg yolk, for egg wash
Where to find ingredients
You can find these items at major supermarkets in Honiara. Look for jars of 'palmito' (heart of palm) and 'creme de leite' in the international or imported goods aisle, as they are essential for the authentic taste. If unavailable, you may substitute fresh herbs with a mix of parsley and spring onions, and use standard heavy cream as a substitute for table cream.
Preparation method
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, mayonnaise, eggs, and salt. Gradually add water as needed until you achieve a smooth and pliable dough.
- In a pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the grated onion until golden.
- Add the chopped bell peppers, palm hearts, olives, and tomato to the pan.
- Cook over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a small container, dissolve the cornstarch in a splash of water or a bit of the table cream to avoid lumps.
- Stir the table cream and the dissolved cornstarch into the pan. Simmer for another 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
- Season with salt to taste and stir in the chopped fresh herbs.
- Remove the filling from the heat and allow it to cool completely.
- Press half of the dough into the bottom and sides of a pie dish.
- Pour the cooled palm heart filling over the base.
- Roll out the remaining dough to cover the pie, sealing the edges firmly.
- Brush the top surface with the beaten egg yolk.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Observations
The empadão de palmito is a staple of Brazilian comfort food, cherished for its crumbly crust and succulent, creamy filling. It is a versatile dish that works perfectly for a Sunday lunch, a special dinner, or as a hearty appetizer for social gatherings.
This recipe balances convenience with a truly impressive result. Using mayonnaise in the dough ensures a fantastic, melt-in-the-mouth texture, while the filling—featuring palm hearts, onions, bell peppers, and olives—provides an authentic flavour profile. A final touch of table cream and fresh herbs brings the whole dish together for a truly special experience.
This recipe balances convenience with a truly impressive result. Using mayonnaise in the dough ensures a fantastic, melt-in-the-mouth texture, while the filling—featuring palm hearts, onions, bell peppers, and olives—provides an authentic flavour profile. A final touch of table cream and fresh herbs brings the whole dish together for a truly special experience.
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