Puerto Rican Beef Pastelitos Recipe

August 09, 2023 Post a Comment

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Spicy Chicken Empanadas with Orange Salsa Verde Recipe Food network recipes, Empanadas from www.pinterest.fr

Description

Puerto Rican beef pastelitos are a delicious snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. These savory turnovers are made with a flaky pastry dough and a filling of seasoned ground beef. They are popular in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean, and can be found in many Latin American bakeries and restaurants.

Prep Time

The preparation time for this recipe is about 1 hour, including the time it takes to make the pastry dough and the beef filling.

Cook Time

The cook time for the pastelitos is approximately 20-25 minutes, depending on your oven.

Ingredients

For the pastry dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1/4 cup ice water
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

For the beef filling:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup tomato sauce

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Rolling pin
Baking sheet
Frying pan

Method

Pastry Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. 2. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. 3. Add the ice water and mix until the dough comes together. 4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until it is smooth and elastic. 5. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions and shape them into balls. 6. Flatten the dough balls into disks and wrap them in plastic wrap. 7. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using.

Beef Filling

1. In a frying pan, sauté the onion, red bell pepper, and garlic until they are soft and translucent. 2. Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until it is browned and no longer pink. 3. Stir in the cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. 4. Cook the beef mixture until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together. 5. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Assembling the Pastelitos

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. 2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough disk into a circle that is approximately 5-6 inches in diameter. 3. Place a spoonful of the beef filling in the center of each dough circle. 4. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. 5. Use a fork to seal the edges of the pastelitos. 6. Brush the pastelitos with the beaten egg wash. 7. Place the pastelitos on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Notes

Puerto Rican beef pastelitos can be served hot or cold, and are great for a quick snack or lunch on the go. They can also be frozen and reheated in the oven for a quick meal.

Nutrition Info

Each pastelito contains approximately 250 calories, 15g of fat, 18g of carbohydrates, and 10g of protein.

Recipe Tips

For a spicier filling, you can add a chopped jalapeño pepper or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture. You can also experiment with different fillings, such as chicken, pork, or cheese. When rolling out the dough, be sure to dust your surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent sticking. Finally, make sure to seal the edges of the pastelitos well to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. Enjoy!