Vegan Pastel

Vegan Pastel is a delightful Brazilian pastry filled with a savory mix of vegetables and spices, providing a crispy and satisfying treat. This dish captures the essence of Brazilian street food while being completely plant-based and nutritious.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour - 200 grams
• Water - 100 ml
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Chickpeas - 100 grams, cooked and mashed
• Spinach - 100 grams, chopped
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Cumin - 1/2 teaspoon
• Paprika - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Olive oil - for frying

Steps

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, water, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes.
2. In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent.
3. Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Stir in the mashed chickpeas, cumin, paprika, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
4. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a thin circle, about 15 cm in diameter.
5. Place a spoonful of the filling on one half of each circle, leaving a border. Fold the dough over to create a crescent shape and seal the edges by pressing with a fork.
6. In a deep skillet, heat enough olive oil for frying over medium-high heat. Fry each pastel for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
7. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Fiber: 9 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Water: 0.1 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein from chickpeas.
• High in fiber, promoting digestive health.

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