Embark on a culinary journey to Honduras with our tantalizing Pastelitos de Carne, a beloved savory pastry that encapsulates the vibrant flavors of Central America. These delectable treats feature a golden, flaky crust embracing a savory filling of seasoned ground beef, onions, and spices, creating a mouthwatering symphony of taste and texture. Whether enjoyed as a hearty snack, appetizer, or part of a festive meal, Pastelitos de Carne offer a delightful taste of Honduran cuisine that's sure to captivate your palate and transport you to the sun-kissed streets of Honduras.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup water, cold

For the filling:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime

For frying:

• Vegetable oil

Instructions:

Prepare the dough:

1- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter.

2- Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3- Gradually add the cold water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. You may not need to use all the water.

4- Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Prepare the filling:

1- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

2- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.

3- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.

4- Stir in the ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

5- Add the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to combine.

6- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped cilantro and lime juice. Allow the filling to cool completely.

Assemble and fry the pastelitos:

1- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.

2- Using a round cutter or a glass, cut the dough into circles, about 4-5 inches in diameter.

3- Place a spoonful of the cooled filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges.

4- Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together to seal, then crimp the edges with a fork to ensure they are sealed tightly.

5- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).

6- Carefully add the pastelitos to the hot oil in batches, frying until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.

7- Remove the pastelitos from the oil and drain on paper towels.

8- Serve the pastelitos hot, either as a snack or appetizer, with your favorite dipping sauce.

Enjoy your delicious Honduras Pastelitos de Carne!

Nutritional Values :

All-Purpose Flour (2 cups):

• Calories: 440 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 92 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Fat: 1 g
• Fiber: 4 g

benefits : Provides carbohydrates for energy and small amounts of protein.

Unsalted Butter (½ cup):

• Calories: 813 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Fat: 92 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits : Contains fat which provides energy and helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Water (½ cup):

• Calories: 0 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits : Essential for hydration and bodily functions, including digestion and temperature regulation

Vegetable Oil (1 tbsp for filling, plus additional for frying):

• Calories: 120 kcal (per tablespoon)
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits : Contains healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which support heart health and provide energy.

Onion (1 small):

• Calories: 44 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 2 g

benefits : Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, onions may help improve heart health, support bone density, and regulate blood sugar levels.

Garlic (2 cloves):

• Calories: 10 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits : Known for its medicinal properties, garlic is rich in antioxidants and may have benefits for heart health, immune function, and lowering blood pressure.

Ground Beef (1 pound, 80% lean):

• Calories: 880 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 80 g
• Fat: 60 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits : A good source of protein, iron, and various vitamins and minerals essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall health.

Ground Cumin (1 tsp):

• Calories: 8 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 1 g

benefits : Contains antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties. Cumin may also aid digestion and improve cholesterol levels.

Paprika (1 tsp):

• Calories: 6 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 1 g

benefits : Rich in vitamin C, paprika also contains antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory effects.

Chili Powder (½ tsp):

• Calories: 3 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 1 g

benefits : Contains capsaicin, a compound that may help boost metabolism, reduce appetite, and provide pain relief.

Tomato Paste (2 tbsp):

• Calories: 30 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 2 g

benefits : High in antioxidants like lycopene, tomato paste may support heart health, reduce inflammation, and protect against certain types of cancer.

Fresh Cilantro (¼ cup):

• Calories: 1 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits : Contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and may have antimicrobial properties.

Lime Juice (Juice of 1 lime):

• Calories: 11 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits : Rich in vitamin C, lime juice may support immune function, skin health, and digestion.

Please note that these values are approximate and may vary based on factors such as brand, freshness, and specific ingredients used.