Adolescente Y Niña Preparando Pasteles Masa Para Galletas De Navidad from www.istockphoto.com
Introduction
Pasteles are a traditional Puerto Rican dish that is typically eaten during the holiday season. This delicious dish is made up of a masa dough that is filled with a variety of meats, vegetables, and spices. The filling is then wrapped in banana leaves and boiled until it becomes tender and flavorful. In this article, we will go over the ingredients, instructions, and nutrition of preparing pasteles.
Ingredients
The following ingredients are needed to prepare pasteles:
5 pounds of green bananas
1 pound of yautÃa (taro root)
1 pound of yuca (cassava)
1 cup of achiote oil
1 tablespoon of salt
2 cups of chicken broth
2 cups of pork shoulder, cubed
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon of adobo seasoning
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
The Masa Dough
To start, the green bananas, yautÃa, and yuca need to be peeled and grated. This can be done by using a food processor or a grater. Once grated, the ingredients need to be mixed together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the achiote oil, salt, and chicken broth. Pour this mixture over the grated ingredients and mix thoroughly until the masa dough is formed. The masa dough should be soft and pliable.
The Filling
To make the filling, begin by heating up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed pork shoulder and cook until browned on all sides. Next, add the chopped onion, red pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are tender. Add the adobo seasoning and dried oregano to the skillet, and mix well. Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
The Banana Leaves
The banana leaves need to be prepared by washing them thoroughly with soap and water. Cut them into 12-inch squares and set them aside.
Instructions
To assemble the pasteles, take a banana leaf square and place a spoonful of the masa dough onto it. Use your hands to spread the masa dough evenly over the banana leaf, leaving enough room on the edges to fold it over the filling. Next, add a spoonful of the pork shoulder filling onto the center of the masa dough. Fold the banana leaf over the filling, and then fold the edges of the banana leaf over to seal it. Continue to assemble the pasteles until all of the ingredients have been used up. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the pasteles to the pot and boil for about 45 minutes to an hour. The pasteles are done when the masa dough is cooked and the filling is tender.
Nutrition
One serving of pasteles (one pastel) contains approximately:
370 calories
14g fat
3g saturated fat
50mg cholesterol
820mg sodium
45g carbohydrates
3g fiber
6g sugar
18g protein
Conclusion
Pasteles are a delicious and traditional Puerto Rican dish that is perfect for any holiday gathering or family dinner. Though the preparation process may be time-consuming, the end result is well worth it. With this recipe, you can create an authentic and flavorful dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.