Brazilian recipe
Heart of Palm Pie with Homemade Shortcrust Pastry
Discover a classic Brazilian savoury pie featuring a delicate, melt-in-the-mouth crust filled with a rich and creamy heart of palm filling.
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Ingredients
300g margarine or lard
500g all-purpose flour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
Salt to taste
1 jar (approx. 300g drained) heart of palm
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 onion, grated
Nutmeg to taste
Black pepper to taste
500g all-purpose flour
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
Salt to taste
1 jar (approx. 300g drained) heart of palm
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 onion, grated
Nutmeg to taste
Black pepper to taste
Where to find ingredients
You can find hearts of palm in jars in the international or tinned vegetables aisle of local supermarkets in Apia. For margarine, lard, and basic baking staples like flour and spices, visit the main grocery store shelves. If unavailable, canned artichoke hearts can serve as a substitute for heart of palm, though the flavour profile will be different.
Preparation method
- Combine the margarine or lard, flour, lemon juice, egg, and salt in a bowl, working the mixture with your fingertips until it forms a coarse crumble.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before working with it.
- To prepare the filling, create a white sauce by dissolving the 3 tablespoons of flour in a little of the cold milk, then adding it to the rest of the milk in a saucepan.
- Stir in the grated onion and half of the heart of palm jar, which should be 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 black pepper to taste.
- Stir in the remaining heart of palm, chopped into bite-sized pieces, and mix thoroughly.
- Line a baking tin with the dough, pressing it firmly with your hands to cover the base and sides.
- Pour the prepared heart of palm filling over the pastry base.
- Cover the pie with the remaining dough, shaping and sealing the edges as desired.
- Bake in a preheated oven at a high temperature for approximately 40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Observations
This heart of palm pie, or 'torta de palmito', is a beloved staple of Brazilian home cooking, cherished for its comforting flavours. The term 'massa podre' refers to the signature shortcrust pastry, celebrated for its incredibly buttery, crumbly, and delicate texture that practically melts on the tongue. This richness provides the perfect contrast to the velvety, seasoned heart of palm filling.
Whether you are planning a light lunch, an elegant starter for a dinner party, or a sophisticated snack, this pie is an excellent choice. Achieving the perfect pastry requires a light touch, but the effort is well rewarded. The filling is straightforward to prepare, allowing the mild, unique flavour of the heart of palm to shine through. Serve it warm and enjoy this quintessential homemade delicacy.
Whether you are planning a light lunch, an elegant starter for a dinner party, or a sophisticated snack, this pie is an excellent choice. Achieving the perfect pastry requires a light touch, but the effort is well rewarded. The filling is straightforward to prepare, allowing the mild, unique flavour of the heart of palm to shine through. Serve it warm and enjoy this quintessential homemade delicacy.
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