How to Make Authentic Cuban Pasteles

The term pasteles comes from the word for pie in Spanish. Little pies are pasteitos or pasteles and they are puff-pastry dough filled with an array of meats, cheeses, vegetables and even fish. They are similar to American turnovers and they vary as much. They are used in Cuban cooking for everything from appetizers to main dishes and even desserts. They range from thin crusted morsels filled with vegetables for a healthy lunch to meats and potato-filled layers of flaky dough hearty enough for the biggest appetite.

Things You'll Need

• Frozen puff pastry
• 1 lb. ground beef
• Saucepan
• ½ cup beef broth
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1/3 cup water
• Wooden spoon
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. milk
• Electric mixer
• Pastry dough
• 3 eggs
• Pastry brush
• Baking sheet
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup water

Instructions

Meat Filling

1. Brown lightly 1 lb. of ground beef in a large saucepan and remove the extra fat from the meat.

2. Mix in beef broth, 1 tsp. of cumin, 1 tsp. of oregano, 2 tsp. of cinnamon, 1 tbsp. of sugar and ½ tsp. of salt with the meat.

3. Simmer on a low heat for 15 minutes. Mix 2 tbsp. of cornstarch with 1/3 cup of water and drizzle it into the meat while stirring with a wooden spoon, constantly, until the sauce surrounding the meat is as thick as you like.

Cream Cheese Filling

1. Allow packages of 8 oz. cream cheese (do not use whipped, only bars) to come to room temperature.

2. Mix in 1 tsp. of lemon juice, ¼ cup of sugar and 2 tbsp. of milk to the cream cheese.

3. Mix the ingredients with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until fluffy.

Pastry

1. Defrost as much frozen pastry dough as you need for the number of pasteles you are making. Leave it in the refrigerator until you are ready to fill the dough.

2. Lay the dough on a table and begin cutting the dough into rectangles. You are going to fold these over several times so the rectangles should be big enough.

3. Lay about 1 tbsp. of meat or cheese filling in the center of the rectangle. Fold the left hand third over the center and the right hand third over the center as well.

4. Fold each side over once more. Brush the little packet with a mixture of three eggs beaten well with 2 oz. of water.

5. Lay the pasteles on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes or until golden on top and bottom.

6. Serve with a simple sauce made of mixing ½ cup of sugar with ½ cup of water. Place in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and allow to simmer for about 3 minutes. Allow to cool and serve with the pasteles.

Tips & Warnings

• Make smaller pasteles and send them with your children for lunch.

• If you are giving pasteles as gifts, label them so nobody eats something they are allergic to.

References

• Taste of Cuba: Authentic Cuban Pastelitos
• I Cuban: 3 Guys from Miami Cuban Recipe