Brazilian recipe
Easy Homemade Pastel Assado
A delicious, no-fuss recipe for Brazilian baked savoury pastries. These golden, crispy treats with a tender dough and spiced mince filling are perfect for quick snacks or parties.
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Ingredients
1 kg cake flour
500 g vegetable fat (shortening)
1 tsp salt
290 ml chilled Guaraná soda
1 kg minced beef
Salt and preferred spices to taste for the mince
1 egg yolk for egg wash
500 g vegetable fat (shortening)
1 tsp salt
290 ml chilled Guaraná soda
1 kg minced beef
Salt and preferred spices to taste for the mince
1 egg yolk for egg wash
Where to find ingredients
Cake flour and vegetable fat are staples found in the baking aisle of any local South African supermarket like Checkers, Pick n Pay, or Spar. For the Guaraná soda, look in the international or speciality drinks section of large grocery stores, or check online retailers that import Brazilian products; if you can't find it, a light, sweet carbonated soft drink can be used as a substitute, though the original flavour is unique to this Brazilian recipe. Minced beef is easily sourced at any local butchery or meat counter. For spices, use your preferred household staples like crushed garlic, dried herbs, or a dash of smoked paprika.
Preparation method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, vegetable fat, and salt
- Gradually add the chilled Guaraná soda, mixing by hand until you get a smooth, manageable dough. Be careful not to over-knead
- Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll each one out to form discs
- Prepare your filling by mixing the raw minced beef with salt and your favourite spices; do not pre-cook the meat
- Place a spoonful of filling onto one half of each dough disc, then fold over and seal the edges to create your pastéis
- Arrange the assembled pastries on a baking tray
- Lightly brush the top of each pastel with the beaten egg yolk for a beautiful golden finish
- Pop them into a preheated hot oven (approximately 200°C)
- Bake until they are perfectly golden brown and the pastry is cooked through. You can test them by piercing one with a toothpick; if it comes out clean and the dough feels firm, they are ready to serve
Observations
Pastel assado is a classic of Brazilian home cooking, offering a simple yet incredibly satisfying alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. By baking these in the oven, you achieve a wonderfully crisp pastry that remains light and tender, making them an ideal choice for a casual family lunch, a school snack, or as finger food for your next get-together.
What makes this recipe special is the addition of Guaraná soda to the dough, a classic trick that helps create that signature melt-in-the-mouth texture. Paired with a flavourful seasoned mince filling, these oven-baked pastries are always a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to whip up in your own kitchen.
What makes this recipe special is the addition of Guaraná soda to the dough, a classic trick that helps create that signature melt-in-the-mouth texture. Paired with a flavourful seasoned mince filling, these oven-baked pastries are always a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to whip up in your own kitchen.
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