Pasteles con api

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in calories.

masa dough

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour dough

💰Cheaper: corn tortillas

Whole wheat flour offers more fiber.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier but canola is cheaper.

tomato sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato puree

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Homemade is fresher, but canned is more affordable.

Dissolve the yeast in warm water with a bit of sugar.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar, egg, salt, and baking soda.

Mix well until the butter is soft and incorporated.

Knead the dough until it is smooth, adding a bit more water if necessary.

Form the dough into balls and let them rest covered for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Prepare the api by soaking it in water for 3 hours before cooking.

Boil 2 liters of water, then add orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar.

Add the soaked api to the boiling water and stir until it starts to thicken.

Roll out the dough balls into thin circles on a floured surface.

Place slices of cheese on the dough circles, adding more if desired.

Fold the dough over the cheese and seal the edges tightly.

Heat sunflower oil in a deep pan until hot.

Fry the pasteles until golden brown, flipping them to cook evenly.

Remove the pasteles from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Dust the pasteles with powdered sugar before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: