Turkey Pastilla Meat Pies

Name: Turkey Pastilla Meat Pies
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting; 1 tsp finely grated orange zest; 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1/8 tsp ground turmeric; 1/8 tsp ground allspice; 1/8 tsp ground cardamom; 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 onion, chopped; 1 garlic clove, chopped; 6 tbsp (85 g) butter; 1 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour; 1 cup (250 ml) chicken broth; 3/4 lb (340 g) cooked turkey or chicken, shredded; 1/2 cup (55 g) roasted almond slices; 1/4 cup (50 g) diced dried apricots; 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey; 16 spring roll pastry sheets, about 6 inches (15 cm) square, or 8 large brik pastry sheets, cut in half (see note); Icing sugar, for dusting

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Preparation 35 min
Cooking 20 min
Servings 8
Freezes Yes

This sugar-dusted pastry may look like a dessert, but surprise! It’s a savoury pie. The must-try of Morocco’s cuisine, pastilla is traditionally served as a main-course dish on special occasions. Just one bite and you’ll know why this flaky parcel is a gift that keeps on giving: Turkey, apricots, slivered almonds and a warm blend of spices (cinnamon, cardamom and ginger) are delicately folded into pastry and pan-fried to perfection. Whether served as a light meal or with a pre-dinner glass of wine, this complex, crazily addictive dish will have you hankering for more.

Featured in RICARDO Magazine (SPRING 2018)

Ingredients

Spice Mix
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp finely grated orange zest
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/8 tsp ground allspice
- 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
Pastillas
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 6 tbsp (85 g) butter
- 1 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (250 ml) chicken broth
- 3/4 lb (340 g) cooked turkey or chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup (55 g) roasted almond slices
- 1/4 cup (50 g) diced dried apricots
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey
- 16 spring roll pastry sheets, about 6 inches (15 cm) square, or 8 large brik pastry sheets, cut in half (see note)
- Icing sugar, for dusting

Preparation

Spice Mix
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients.
Pastillas
- In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, soften the onion and garlic in 2 tbsp of the butter. Stir in the spice mix and continue cooking for 1 minute. Sprinkle with the flour and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Add the broth and bring to a boil while continuing to stir. Add the turkey, almond slices, apricots and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
- Melt the remaining butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave.
- On a work surface, brush 2 pastry sheets with butter and layer them to form a star. Place an eighth of the turkey mixture into the centre of the star. Wrap the pastry around the filling, creating a small, round pie. Set aside on a plate, seam side down. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown the pastillas in the remaining melted butter for 3 minutes on each side. Add more butter, if needed. Place on a serving platter and dust with icing sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Serve immediately.

Note from Ricardo

Spring roll pastry can be found in most Asian grocery stores, while brik pastry is sold in most Middle Eastern grocery stores.

Turkey Pastilla Meat Pies

Categories

Ingredients

Spice Mix

Pastillas

Preparation

Spice Mix

Pastillas

Note from Ricardo

Personal Note