This article is especially for you if you want to learn how to make Trinidad pastelle pie recipes. It is a favourite dish of Trinidad and Tobago, especially during Christmas. It’s a traditional recipe made with cornmeal, filled with meat, and wrapped in banana leaves.
In this blog post, I will share the pastelle pie recipe, its history, and a step-by-step guide to making it. Whether you are familiar with Trinidadian culture or do not know anything about this culture, your family and guests will like this recipe.
Contents
History Of Pastelle Pie
This is a traditional dish that has its roots in both Spanish and indigenous Trinidadian cultures. The Spanish colonists first started it. It is primarily cooked on Christmas days, which is how it became famous in Trinidad and Tobago.
It tastes even more delicious when covered in banana leaves. It is a traditional recipe, but there is another way to prepare it: a little classy, modern, and used in some places. But even today, people prefer the traditional method.
Step By Step Process To Make Trinidad Pastelle Pie Recipe
Here is a step-by-step process for the Trinidad pastelle pie recipe. This easy step-by-step guide will help you to make a perfect pastelle pie recipe.
Ingredients We Use
For the Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cold water (more if needed)
Ingredients For the Filling
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef/pork (or a mix)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- One onion, finely chopped
- Two cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup olives, chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup capers
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
Ingredients For Salt & pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or parsley
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
Procedure
Step 1: Make Feeling
In a large pan, heat vegetable oil on medium heat. Then, add chopped onions and garlic. Cook them until they become soft, and their fragrance turns sweet.
Next, add ground beef or chicken, whichever you prefer, to the same pan and cook until browned. Once cooked, divide the meat into small pieces and stir in the tomato paste, capers, raisins, and olives.
Mix all of them well & let the filling simmer with thyme, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Allow the filling to simmer over low heat for up to 10 minutes to allow all the flavours to blend well. Once the filling is cooked, turn off the heat and set it aside.
Step 2: Make Cornmeal Crust
Put water in a medium-sized bowl and cook it in that bowl. Add cornmeal while stirring so that it does not form lumps. Keep the heat low and keep stirring till the cornmeal is cooked.
Next, add butter & salt and continue stirring till the cornmeal is fully cooked. It will take around 5 to 7 minutes. Once it is ready, remove the cornmeal mixture from the heat.
Step 3: Put The Pie Together
First, prepare your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the mixture into a greased baking dish using butter or oil to avoid the pie sticking on the bottom-most part.
To start making the pie, provide half of the cooked cornmeal & spread it at the bottom of the dish. Then, place the cornmeal in a pan, spread it evenly, and spoon the meat filling over the cornmeal layer.
Last of all, pour the remaining cornmeal mixture over the top, with the help of a spatula, even out the layers.
If one wants to add an extra layer of richness to the pie, one can place a few tiny pieces of butter on top of the pie before baking.
No 4: Bake It
Place the delicious pastelle pie, expertly prepared and nestled in its oven tin, into the preheated oven for baking.
Bake the pie for approximately 30-35 minutes or until the top layer is golden brown and the pie has cooked through. Take the pie out of the oven & let it cool, then serve.
How to Serve Trinidad Pastelle Pie Recipe
It’s a tasty traditional dish you can eat alone or with many other foods. Usually, people serve it with salad or steamed veggies. Also, they try it with rice. If you want to know about the Trinidadian experience, try to serve it with hot pepper sauce.
How to Avoid Common Mistakes to avoid when making Pastelle Pie
Dough Issues
The dough becomes lumpy when you use less flour. Add some water or milk to fix it until the dough becomes soft.
On the flip side, the dough becomes sticky if you use too little flour. To overcome this issue, add a little flour to solve this problem.
Filling Issues
If you overcook meat filling, it will have a dry, tough texture. Keep the filling the same.
Another mistake that should not be made is the insufficient filling seasoning with salt, pepper and other spices. It is also important to season the filling very well.
Baking Mishaps
A soft crust bottom part is likely to be obtained if the pie is baked on the lowest rack; therefore, the pie should be placed on the lower third of the rack in the oven.
They come out uneven if the pie is covered by the foil too tightly or for a very long time; just cover it loosely and remove it halfway through baking.
To avoid burnt edges, use an 8×8 inch baking pan since a small pan causes the edges to burn.
Conclusion
The Trinidad Pastelle Pie Recipe is a yummy traditional dessert that you should try at least once. Whether you want to make it for Christmas or family and guests, this treat is perfect for any occasion.
There are some common mistakes that you should avoid while making Pastelle Pie. Using the instructions above, you can make a tasty Trinidad Pastelle Pie Recipe at home.
Read also: Cauliflower Rice Recipe