Brazilian recipe
Hearts of Palm Shortcrust Pie (Torta de palmito com massa podre)
A traditional Brazilian savoury pie featuring a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth shortcrust pastry filled with a velvety, seasoned heart of palm filling. Ideal for light lunches or dinner gatherings.
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Ingredients
300 g baking margarine or lard
500 g plain flour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
Salt to taste
1 jar hearts of palm (palmito)
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tbsp plain flour
1/2 onion, grated
Nutmeg to taste
Pepper to taste
500 g plain flour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
Salt to taste
1 jar hearts of palm (palmito)
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tbsp plain flour
1/2 onion, grated
Nutmeg to taste
Pepper to taste
Where to find ingredients
Glass jars of hearts of palm (palmito) can be found in the canned vegetable aisle or imported food sections of major supermarkets across Eswatini, such as Shoprite or Pick n Pay. Everyday baking supplies like plain flour, baking margarine, milk, and spices are readily available at local food markets and grocers.
Preparation method
- Prepare the dough by mixing the baking margarine (or lard), plain flour, lemon juice, egg and salt until a coarse crumb forms.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before using it.
- Prepare the filling: in a saucepan, make a white sauce with the milk and 3 tablespoons of plain flour previously dissolved in a little cold milk to prevent lumps.
- Add the grated onion and half the jar of hearts of palm blended with 1/2 cup of milk.
- Cook the white sauce over low heat, stirring continuously, until slightly thickened.
- Season the sauce with salt, nutmeg and pepper to taste.
- Add the remaining chopped hearts of palm to the sauce and mix well.
- Line a pie dish with the dough, pressing it directly with your hands to cover the base and sides.
- Pour the heart of palm filling over the dough base.
- Cover the pie with the remaining dough, shaping it as desired.
- Bake in a preheated hot oven for approximately 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Observations
This heart of palm pie recipe paired with traditional *massa podre* is a classic staple of Brazilian home cooking, offering a deeply satisfying savoury option for any meal. The pastry, renowned for its delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture, contrasts beautifully with the rich and fragrant creamed heart of palm centre. It serves brilliantly as a light main course alongside a fresh green salad or as an impressive centerpiece for afternoon tea and casual entertaining.
Achieving the ideal texture for the rich shortcrust requires gentle handling, but the buttery outcome is well worth the care. The heart of palm filling comes together smoothly in a pan, showcasing the subtle, delicate flavours of the palm shoots. Serve warm straight from the oven to enjoy this comforting baked slice at its best.
Achieving the ideal texture for the rich shortcrust requires gentle handling, but the buttery outcome is well worth the care. The heart of palm filling comes together smoothly in a pan, showcasing the subtle, delicate flavours of the palm shoots. Serve warm straight from the oven to enjoy this comforting baked slice at its best.
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