Pastel (Brazilian Fried Pastry Envelopes)

• Prep time: 30 minutes

• Cook time: 15 minutes

• Total time: 45 minutes

• Servings: 6 servings (makes 12 pastries)

• Country of Origin: Brazil

• Description: Thin, crispy, blistered fried pastry pockets stuffed with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, or hearts of palm, popular at open-air street markets.

• Presentation & How It's Eaten: Served piping hot alongside chilled sugarcane juice (caldo de cana). Eaten by hand.

• Ingredients:

  • Dough:

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour

    • 1 tbsp cachaça or white rum (secret for blistered crust)

    • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

    • 1 tsp salt

    • 3/4 cup warm water

  • Filling:

    • 3/4 lb lean ground beef

    • 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced

    • 2 cloves garlic, minced

    • 1/4 cup chopped green olives

    • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

    • 2 tbsp olive oil

    • Salt and black pepper, to taste

    • Vegetable oil, for frying

• Step-by-Step Directions:

  • Make Dough: Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Add oil, cachaça, and warm water. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Wrap in plastic film and rest for 30 minutes.

  • Cook Filling: Heat olive oil in a pan; brown ground beef with onion and garlic for 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, stir in chopped olives and hard-boiled eggs, then cool completely.

  • Roll Dough: Roll dough out thinly (1/16th inch) on a floured surface or using a pasta machine. Cut into rectangles (4x6 inches).

  • Fill & Seal: Spoon 2 tbsp filling onto one half of each rectangle. Fold over and crimp edges tightly with a fork to seal.

  • Fry: Deep-fry in hot oil at 360°F (180°C) for 2–3 minutes, flipping once, until blistered and golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

• Optional: Substitute beef filling with shredded mozzarella cheese and diced tomatoes for Pastel de Queijo.

• Cooking Tips: Cachaça added to dough evaporates rapidly during frying, creating signature crispy air blisters on crust.

• Nutrition Facts:

  • Calories: ~340 kcal

  • Total Fat: 16g

  • Saturated Fat: 4g

  • Cholesterol: 60mg

  • Sodium: 320mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 34g

  • Dietary Fiber: 2g

  • Sugars: 1g

  • Protein: 14g