Pastel de Papas (which literally translated means "potato pie") is a South American variation of the Shepherd's Pie. Also known as Chilean potato pie, the main ingredients are few and simple to find: potatoes, eggs and ground beef. This dish is very popular in Argentina and Chile, and there are many variations of this recipe. Here the basic recipe will be provided.
Ingrediants
- 6 potatoes / or 3 potatoes (half serving)
- 900 - 1120 grams of ground beef / or 1 ground turkey … in this case use lots of herbs and olive oil
- 1 large onion / or 1/2 onion
- 4 eggs / or 2 eggs
- 1/4 or 1/2 stick of butter (1/2 stick of butter equals 8 tablespoons, 1/2 cup or 113 grams of butter)
- 85g shredded cheddar cheese / I use 110g or 50-60g for half dose
- salt
- black pepper
- Cumin
Steps
Step 1. Make the mashed potatoes
Cut the potatoes into chunks, boil them until tender and then mash them with a fork. Add a quarter or half stick of butter, and salt and pepper to taste.
Step 2. Chop a large onion and fry it with the cumin until soft
Step 3. Boil the eggs
Peel and cut the eggs into small pieces.
Step 4. Pan-fry 900 or 1120 grams of ground beef
Drain the cooking liquid when the meat is almost cooked. Add the onion, paprika and salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5. Grease a 23 x 23 cm baking dish
A good trick: don't throw away the paper from the stick of butter, instead rub the buttered side of the paper on the surfaces of the pan to grease it. Saving is the best gain!
Step 6. Spread a layer of mashed potatoes on the bottom and sides of the pan
Use a little more than half of the puree and make the layer about 1.3 cm thick (but less thick on the sides). Sprinkle the bottom with half of the grated cheese.
Step 7. Spread a layer of ground beef
Gently press down with a putty knife to compact it. Add a layer of hard-boiled eggs.
Step 8. Roll out another layer of mashed potatoes
Step 9. Add a sprinkle of black pepper
Step 10. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese and some paprika
Step 11. Bake in a preheated oven at 180º C until the top of the cake just begins to brown (about 15-30 minutes)
Step 12. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes at room temperature
Use a spatula to dissect and serve the portions.
Step 13. Finished
Advice
- Raisins and green olives are traditional ingredients that you can add to beef.
- Cheddar cheese isn't a traditional ingredient in this recipe, but it's definitely delicious.
- For an alternative version without cheese, brush some beaten egg on the layer of mashed potatoes, and sprinkle the top of the cake with a spoonful of sugar before putting the pan in the oven.
- To improve the texture of the pastel, leave it in the fridge overnight. The cake will firm up, making it easier to cut. This is one of the benefits if you can resist the urge to eat it right away!
- Some flavorings to possibly add to the meat are: garlic-flavored salt, regular salt, a little taco seasoning or Italian herbs to add while cooking the meat.
- Feel free to vary the proportions. This recipe requires a considerable amount of potatoes. You can roll out thinner layers of mashed potatoes and a thicker layer of ground beef.
-
Other ingredients you can add are:
A cup of fresh mixed vegetables, half of which to add to the meat and one half to use when laying out the layers. Vegetables include 1 jalapeño, 6 cloves of garlic (divide between meat and mashed potatoes), chopped carrot, corn (1/2 panocchia), 1 diced onion / or half an onion, 1 diced jalapeño and 2 spoons of diced green pepper and red pepper
- Try flavoring the mashed potatoes with a little cream cheese, parmesan, garlic and green onions.
- You can really add everything when making this recipe.
