Salteñas, the national dish of Bolivia, are a distinctive and flavorful type of pastry that bear resemblance to empanadas. Known for their slightly sweet, baked dough and a juicy, savory filling, Salteñas typically feature a mix of either chicken or beef, combined with spices, potatoes, peas, and sometimes eggs and olives. The filling's unique taste, blending sweet and spicy elements, showcases the diverse culinary influences in Bolivian cuisine, including indigenous, Spanish, and other European elements. Eaten mainly as a snack during mornings or early afternoons, Salteñas are not just a popular food item in Bolivia, but also a representation of the country's rich cultural and culinary heritage. Read More...
Prepare the Filling: Cook the meat with onions, spices, and a bit of oil until browned. Add broth, potatoes, peas, and cook until the potatoes are tender. Add gelatin to the mixture to thicken it and let it cool. Once cooled, mix in the chopped eggs and olives. Refrigerate the mixture until it’s set (usually overnight).
Make the Dough: Combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add butter and blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in eggs and enough water or milk to form a soft dough. Optionally add colorant. Chill the dough for about an hour.
Assemble the Salteñas: Roll out the dough and cut it into circles. Place a spoonful of the chilled filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a crescent shape. Seal the edges by crimping them.
Bake: Preheat the oven and bake the Salteñas until they are golden brown.
Remember, the key to Salteñas is the juicy filling and slightly sweet, crimped pastry. The recipe can be adjusted according to personal taste preferences, and different regions in Bolivia might have their variations. Enjoy your homemade Salteñas!
Preparing Salteñas, the savory Bolivian pastry, is a somewhat time-intensive process, typically taking about 2 to 3 hours in total. This includes preparing and cooking the filling, which can take about 1 to 1.5 hours, including the time to cool and set the filling (often done overnight for best results). Making and resting the dough takes about an hour. The assembly of the Salteñas, which involves rolling out the dough, adding the filling, and crimping the edges, might take another 30 minutes to an hour, depending on one's proficiency and the quantity being made. Finally, baking takes about 20 to 30 minutes. While making Salteñas is a bit labor-intensive, the process is a rewarding culinary experience, producing a flavorful and traditional Bolivian dish that is well worth the effort.
A single serving of Salteñas, the Bolivian national dish, can vary in calorie content depending on the specific recipe and size, but on average, it contains approximately 250 to 400 calories. The majority of these calories come from the dough, which is made with flour, butter, and sugar, as well as from the meat filling. Ingredients like beef or chicken, potatoes, and eggs contribute to the calorie count, while the amount of oil used in cooking also plays a significant role. The filling's peas, olives, and spices add minimal calories. As a savory pastry, Salteñas are a moderate-calorie option, suitable for a satisfying snack or a part of a meal, but their calorie content should be considered in the context of an overall balanced diet.
