How to Make Delicious Pastelitos

Looking for a delicious snack that is perfect for any occasion? Look no further than pastelitos! Made from flaky pastry and filled with a variety of delicious fillings, these little treats are a favorite throughout the world.

If you’ve never made pastelitos before, don’t worry. With a little practice and some attention to detail, you’ll be whipping up batches of these tasty snacks in no time. So grab your ingredients, get your hands ready, and let’s get started on making some delicious pastelitos that are sure to impress your friends and family!

1. Required Ingredients

What You Need to Make Delicious Pastelitos

The first thing you need to know about making pastelitos is that you’ll need a few key ingredients to make the dough and the filling. You’ll need flour, salt, butter, and water for the dough. For the filling, you’ll need ground beef, onion, garlic, cumin, and tomato sauce. You can also add some olives, raisins, and capers if you like.

2. Making the Dough

How to Make the Perfect Dough for Pastelitos

Once you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to make the dough. Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it’s crumbly. Add water by tablespoons, mixing until it forms a smooth dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

3. Preparing the Filling

Mixing the Savory Filling for Pastelitos

While the dough chills, prepare the filling. Brown the ground beef in a pan and add the chopped onion and garlic. Then, add the cumin, tomato sauce, olives, raisins, and capers. Cook until the mixture is fragrant and thick. Set aside to cool.

4. Rolling Out the Dough

How to Roll Out and Cut the Dough for Pastelitos

When the dough is ready, take it out of the fridge and preheat your oven to 375°F. Roll the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter or a glass to cut the dough into circles. Once you have the circles, add a spoonful of filling to each one.

5. Folding the Pastelitos

Learn How to Fold the Perfect Pastelitos

The next step is to fold the pastelitos. Fold the circle in half and use a fork to crimp the edges together. Place the pastelitos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and brush with an egg wash. This will give them a golden brown color when they bake.

6. Baking the Pastelitos

The Best Way to Bake Pastelitos to Perfection

Put the baking sheet into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the pastelitos are golden brown. You’ll want to check them often to make sure they don’t burn. Once they’re ready, take them out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.

7. Serving Suggestions

How to Serve Delicious Pastelitos Your Way

Pastelitos are great for parties or as a snack. You can serve them with some dipping sauce like chimichurri or salsa. You can also pair them with some rice and black beans for a full Latin American meal. They’re even great as a breakfast food served with some coffee or tea.

8. Storing Pastelitos

How to Store Pastelitos for Later Use

If you have some pastelitos left over, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze them for up to a month. To reheat, just pop them in the oven until they’re warm and crispy.

9. Variations of Pastelitos

Try These Delicious Variations of Pastelitos

While the classic pastelitos are made with ground beef, you can try other fillings like chicken, ham and cheese, or spinach and feta. You can also experiment with different spices and herbs to create your unique flavor.

10. Tips and Tricks

Some Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Pastelitos

Here are some additional tips to make your pastelitos the best they can be. Make sure the filling is cold when adding to the dough. If the dough is too dry, add a little bit of water. If it’s too sticky, add more flour. Don’t overfill the pastelitos, or they will explode in the oven. And finally, be patient and don’t rush the process. With practice, you’ll be making the perfect pastelitos in no time.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Pastelitos

Once you’ve decided to give pastelitos a try, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients to make them. Some of the basic ingredients you’ll need include:

1. Dough

The first thing you need to prepare for making pastelitos is the dough. For this, you’ll need flour, sugar, salt, butter, and water. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Then, add the butter and cut it in with a pastry cutter. After that, add enough water to bring everything together to form a ball of dough.

2. Filling

You can choose from a variety of fillings for your pastelitos, including ground beef, chicken, and vegetables. You’ll need to cook the filling first to ensure that it’s fully cooked and tender before stuffing it into the pastelitos.

3. Seasonings

To make your pastelitos more flavorful, you’ll need seasonings such as cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. You can mix these seasonings in with the fillings to give them an extra kick.

4. Cheese

Adding cheese to your pastelitos is entirely optional, but it can add a bit of extra flavor. Shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese are popular choices.

5. Egg wash

An egg wash will give your pastelitos a golden brown finish. Beat an egg in a bowl and brush it over the top of your pastelitos before baking.

6. Oil or Cooking Spray

Using oil or cooking spray will ensure that your pastelitos don’t stick to the baking sheet. Apply a small amount to your baking sheet before arranging the pastelitos.

7. Tomato Sauce or Dipping Sauce

Many people like to serve their pastelitos with a dipping sauce. Tomato sauce or a spicy dipping sauce can make an excellent complement.

8. Baking Sheet

You’ll need a baking sheet to cook your pastelitos on. A non-stick baking sheet works best.

9. Rolling Pin

Rolling out the dough requires a rolling pin. You can use any rolling pin you have on hand, as long as it’s sturdy enough to roll out the dough.

10. Pastry Cutter or Pizza Cutter

You’ll need a pastry cutter or pizza cutter to slice the dough for your pastelitos. A pizza cutter can work in a pinch if you don’t have a pastry cutter.

Ingredients for Making Pastelitos

Pastelitos, or Cuban pastries, are delicious treats that are a favorite among many. The sweet and flaky texture of the pastry combined with the delicious filling makes this snack absolutely irresistible. If you are interested in making pastelitos at home, then you need to gather some ingredients. Here are the key ingredients you need to prepare tasty pastelitos:

For the pastry

For the filling

Tools and Equipment

Aside from the ingredients, you will also need the following:

• Rolling pin
• Pastry cutter
• Baking sheet
• Pastry brush
• Fork
• Small bowl for the egg wash

Preparation Time

In order to make pastelitos at home, you will need to set aside around 2 hours. This will cover the preparation, cooking, and baking time.

Step-by-step Process for Making Pastelitos

Now that you have all the ingredients and tools that you need, it’s time to start making your pastelitos. Follow the simple steps below:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. In a small bowl, beat the egg and add it to the flour mixture. Add the ice water and mix until the dough comes together. Knead the dough lightly on a floured surface until smooth. Form the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey, onions, bell pepper, and garlic until the beef or turkey is browned. Drain the excess fat. Add the cumin, salt, and tomato sauce, and allow the mixture to cook for a few more minutes. Set aside to cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it’s about 1/8-inch thick. Use a pastry cutter to cut the dough into 3-inch squares. Place a spoonful of the filling onto each square, being careful not to overfill them. Fold over the dough to form a triangle, and use a fork to press down the edges to seal.
5. Place the pastelitos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops of each pastelito with egg wash.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastelitos are golden brown. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy your homemade pastelitos with a cup of coffee or tea! They make a great breakfast or snack option.

Enjoy Your Delicious Pastelitos

That’s all for our easy recipe on how to make pastelitos! We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you’ll try this delicious snack at home. Trust us, once you’ve tasted these mouth-watering treats, you’ll be hooked for life! Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and don’t forget to come back for more tasty recipes and fun articles. Hasta luego and feliz cocina!