Trinidad Baked Pastelle Pie

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As someone who has always loved making traditional Trinidad pastelles, I was happy when I saw a recipe for pastelle pie while scrolling through Facebook

. Pastelles are a holiday staple in my family, and every year I enjoy wrapping those cornmeal parcels and filling them with seasoned meat.

But let’s be honest, it’s a long process. When I saw that pastelle pie offered the same delicious flavors but simpler, I was excited to try it.

After some experimentation and a few tweaks, I came up with my version of Trinidad pastelle pie, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

What Is Trinidad Pastelle Pie?

Trinidad pastelle pie is a deconstructed and simplified version of traditional pastelles, a popular dish in Trinidad and Tobago, especially during Christmas.

Pastelles are small cornmeal packets filled with savory meat, often beef or pork, and steamed in banana leaves. Pastelle pie captures all those rich flavors but eliminates the need for wrapping and steaming.

In this dish, a layer of spiced, savory minced meat is sandwiched between two layers of moist, buttery cornmeal. The pie is then baked until golden, making it a great option for feeding a crowd or enjoying pastelle flavors any time of the year.

How to Keep the Cornmeal Moisture When Baking

Butter for richness: Adding melted butter to the cornmeal mixture enhances the flavor and locks in moisture.

Don’t skimp on liquid: Make sure your cornmeal mixture is moist but not runny. It should have a consistency similar to mashed potatoes for easy spreading.

Cover during baking: Add some banana leaves first then add the cornmeal, minced meat, and a layer of the cornmeal again. Cover it with more leaves and a layer of foil.

Substitutions for Pastelle Pie

Meat options: Use ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even lamb instead of beef.

Vegetarian version: Substitute the meat filling with a mix of cooked lentils, black beans, or finely chopped mushrooms seasoned with the same spices.

Green seasoning alternative: If you don’t have premade green seasoning, blend fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, thyme, and chives with a little garlic and lime juice.

Raisins: If raisins aren’t your thing, try chopped dried cranberries for a similar sweetness.

How to Store and Reheat Pastelle Pie

• Refrigerator: Store leftover pie in an airtight container for 3 days.
• Freezer: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or microwave individual servings for 1-2 minutes until heated.

Trinidad Pastelle Pie Recipe

Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ cup green seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pimento, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried fine thyme
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup olives, chopped
• 3 tablespoons capers
• 3 tablespoons raisins
• 2 ½ teaspoons salt

For the Cornmeal Topping:

• 2 cups yellow cornmeal
• 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 cup warm milk
• ½ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup grated cheese (optional, for topping)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-inch by 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish and set it aside.

Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the ground beef and green seasoning, mixing thoroughly. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.

Sauté the onion, garlic, and pimento for 3 minutes or until fragrant. Add the seasoned beef and thyme to the pan, cooking until the meat is browned and crumbled (about 7 minutes).

Reduce heat and stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, olives, raisins, and capers. Adjust seasoning with salt. Remove from heat and set aside.

Make the Cornmeal Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, salt, and paprika. Gradually add the lukewarm water and warm milk while stirring until a thick, smooth mixture forms. Stir in the melted butter to enhance the flavor and texture.

Assemble the Pie: Spread half the cornmeal mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down to form the base layer.

Add the meat filling on top of the cornmeal layer, spreading it out evenly. Cover the meat filling with the remaining cornmeal mixture, pressing down gently to create a smooth top layer. Optional: Sprinkle grated cheese over the top for added flavor.

Bake the Pie: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the pie is set.

Cool and Serve: Let the pastelle pie cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!

Trinidad pastelle pie is a game-changer, especially for busy cooks who want the bold, festive flavors of pastelles without the extra work.

This dish is comforting, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd.

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• Christmas Rice Recipe Trinidad
• Trinidad Pastelles Recipe- A Christmas Must-Have
• Trinidad Sorrel Drink- A Christmas Tradition
• Yellow Saffron Turmeric Rice Recipe
• Caribbean Fruit Sponge Cake Recipe
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