PASTEL DE CHOCLO

DESCRIPTION

Traditional dish from Chile, typically made with a filling of pino (ground beef mixed with onions). A piece of chicken, raisins, olives and hard-boiled egg are also commonly added and topped with a layer of sweet corn purée. The sweet corn topping is usually mixed with basil or other herbs to add flavor.

INGREDIENTS

Corn Layer

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 4 bags of corn (460g)
• 1/2 cup of whole milk
• 3 tablespoon of cormeal
• 10 leaves of basil
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Pino

• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 pounds of ground beef
• 1 cup of water or beef broth
• 3 onios. Diced small
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon of merkén
• Salt and pepper

_Optional

• 1 piece of cooked chicken
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 2-3 black olives
• 2 raisins

INSTRUCTIONS

Pino (best done the day before)

1. Heat the oil in a large pot, saute the beef until lightly browned, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, add the paprika, salt, pepper, and cumin, sauté 2 minutes more.
2. Add the broth and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat
3. Add the onion, mix well, and cook over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Turn off heat and stir well. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Cool and refrigerate or use immediately.

Corn Layer

5. In a cast iron or a large pot with a thick bottom, melt the butter over medium-high heat, add the frozen corn, and occasionally stir for about 8 minutes.
6. Add milk, basil, salt, pepper, and Merquén or paprika and continue to cook, occasionally stirring for about 10 minutes longer.
7. With a hand blender, blend the corn, trying not to go uniform, leaving some chunky parts. Add the cornmeal and continue cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes. The consistency should be firm. Taste and adjust seasoning. It will thicken slightly when cool.

Assemble the Paste de Choclo

8. Put one layer of the prepared meat filling on a clay or baking dish. Add cooked or rotisserie chicken parts, quartered hard-boiled eggs, olives, and raisins on top of the meat.
9. Cover with the corn mixture. Sprinkle with granulated sugar for a nice browning in the oven.
10. Bake at 400F or 200C in a preheated oven for 45-60 minutes until bubbling and golden on top. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
11. ENJOY IT!