Pastel
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Pastel |
Brazilian Food | In Brazil, pastels are a typical Brazilian fast food consisting of thin, semicircular, or rectangular-shaped pies with various sweet fillings and fried in vegetable oil. The result is a crispy, brownish-colored deep-fried pie. Some of the sweet fillings are guava paste with Minas cheese, bananas, and chocolate as well. Pastels are classified in Brazilian cuisine as savory snacks. It is traditionally sold on the streets, in open markets, or in fast food shops known as pastelaria.
Ingredients
- 6 cups all-purpose flour (set aside at least one more cup to work the dough and make the core)
- 2 cups half water (400 ml)
- 4 tablespoons oil (optional)
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 drops (50 ml)
How to make Pastel
- Mix flour and salt well.
- Open a hole in the center of the flour and gradually pour in the water, adding it to the floor with your hands in a deep bowl or on a flat table. If you want to add more mixture to the dough, add a tablespoon of oil.
- Add cachaça and continue to mix well.
- Knead the dough, on a flat surface, dusted with flour, until it is smooth and does not stick to your hands.
- Let the dough rest for 15 minutes covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
- Roll the dough with the help of a cylinder – it's easier – to the thickness you can, without the dough breaking; if you don't have a machine the roller works too.
- Cut the dough that has been opened with a knife up to 30 cm high and 10 cm wide, to make it the size of an airy cake.
- Fill the dough, taking at most half the space, fold the dough and cover the edges with a fork.
- After baking the cookies, take them to hot oil for frying as soon as possible.
