Pastelitos Salvadoreños Recipe
Pastelitos Salvadoreños are typically made with a flaky pastry crust, filled with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef or chicken, carrots, potatoes, and other vegetables.In Salvadoran culture, pastelitos are commonly enjoyed as a snack or served as an appetizer during social events and special occasions. While they are a beloved staple of Salvadoran cuisine, the dish has its origins in Spanish cuisine. Over time, it has been adapted to suit Salvadoran tastes, becoming a signature dish. Pastelitos Salvadoreños are a traditional savory pastry filled with meat, vegetables, and spices.
Ingredients
- Masa harina (corn flour) - 2 cups
- Warm water - 1 1/2 cups
- Salt - 1/2 tsp
- Ground pork or beef - 1/2 lb
- Diced onions - 1/2 cup
- Diced green bell pepper - 1/4 cup
- Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp
- Ground cumin - 1/2 tsp
- Dried oregano - 1/2 tsp
- Black pepper - 1/4 tsp
- Paprika - 1/4 tsp
- Chicken broth - 1/4 cup
- Diced tomatoes - 1/4 cup
- Diced green olives - 1/4 cup
- Raisins - 1/4 cup
- Hard-boiled eggs, diced - 2
- Vegetable oil - for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the masa harina, warm water, and salt until it forms a smooth dough. Cover and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground pork or beef until browned. Add the onions, green bell pepper, and vegetable oil and cook until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the cumin, oregano, black pepper, and paprika to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, green olives, raisins, and hard-boiled eggs to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is thickened.
- Preheat a deep fryer or a large pot with vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).
- Take a small ball of masa dough and flatten it with your hands or using a tortilla press. The dough should be about 1/4 inch thick.
- Add a tablespoon of the meat mixture to the center of the flattened masa dough. Fold the dough in half and seal the edges by pressing them with your fingers or a fork.
- Fry the pastelitos in the hot oil for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- Repeat the process with the remaining masa dough and meat mixture.
- Serve the pastelitos hot with your favorite salsa or hot sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 7gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 217mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g
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