Chicken Pastel

Source: filipinofoodrecipes.net

• One 1 1/2 kilo chicken, cut in pieces

• One can (14 ounces) Vienna sausage, sliced

• 3 potatoes, diced

• 1 carrot, diced

• 1 up mushrooms, cut in half

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced in strips

• 1/2 cup sweet peas

• 1 onion, minced

• 1/4 cup grated cheese

• 1 cup margarine

• 2 cups chicken stock (broth)

• 1/2 cup evaporated milk

• 4 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 lemon extract (juice)

• 1 egg, beaten

• Salt and pepper to taste

Pie Crust

• 2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup corn oil or vegetable oil

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 cup of water

1 In a bowl, marinate chicken lemon juice and soy sauce for an hour.
2 In a skillet, melt margarine and brown chicken, set aside.
3 Sauté onion, bell pepper an mushrooms then add chicken broth. Simmer for 15 minutes then add potatoes, carrots, sweet peas, sausages, grated cheese and milk. Continue cooking for 10 minutes. Salt to taste.
4 Transfer to a baking dish.
5 Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
6 On a bowl, combine the flour, salt, cold water and oil. Mix into a ball.
7 On a flat surface, roll flat the pastry and cover the chicken pastel mixture and seal the sides by pressing on the edges. Remove excess pastry.
8 Punch small holes on the pastry to let out steam during baking then brush with beaten egg.
9 Bake until golden brown (about 15 minutes).



I served this one before but without the pie crust on top. I believe we haven't bought the oven yet then. So basically this is the first time I tried this with the crust.

The preparation of ingredients was tiring. Add to that the dough flattening. I did it without the help of a rolling pin. Having done that, I definitely suggest you use a rolling pin if you prefer including the pie crust to this dish as it will be easier because the dough will flatten evenly.

Darwin though is not too ecstatic when I told him I'm making pastel for dinner. A revelation yet again, my husband as it turned out is not a big fan of dishes with milk and cheese (FYI: he didn't even try my mac and cheese yesterday when he got home!) He said it's ok, he can eat it (with a heavy heart! LOL) but will never be a fan of it. That's why for dinner tonight I made another dish in case he's in no mood to eat chicken pastel; I'll be making Buffalo Chicken Wings in an hour (chicken still in marinade).

Darwin's Verdict: to be posted later when he arrive from the office


My Verdict: As good as the first but I think Darwin will still not like it. The taste of milk and cheese is too strong not to notice and Darwin hates milk. I understand him naman because he has a very sensitive stomach, too much cheese or even orange juice would mean a very nasty and frequent trip to... you know where!

My rate for the chicken pastel? 4/5. I made the dough a bit thick only the top part was baked. Under the crust was this soft unbaked dough. Oh well, there' s always a next time for everything.