Guaraná Soda Pastry: A Flaky, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Delight

The Guaraná Soda Pastry (Pastel de Forno) is the perfect choice for those who want to innovate in the kitchen with ease. This recipe turns simple savory hand pies into something spectacular, featuring a light, flaky dough that melts in your mouth and a creamy chicken filling that is absolutely delicious. If you’re curious, keep reading to learn how to make this treat!

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (approx. 500g)
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp cold unsalted margarine or butter (250g)
• 1 tsp salt
• Guaraná soda (enough to bring the dough together, approx. 1/2 to 3/4 cup)

For the chicken filling:

• 1.3 lbs (600g) shredded cooked chicken
• 3 tbsp cream cheese (or Brazilian requeijão)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup chopped green olives
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley and scallions, chopped
• 1/2 onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• Salt to taste
• Chicken broth (as needed for moisture)

How to make Guaraná Soda Pastry:

1. Preparing the dough:
   • In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
   • Add the cold margarine/butter and, using your fingertips, mix until it forms a coarse meal-like texture.
   • Gradually add the Guaraná soda, mixing until the dough is smooth and crumbly, but not elastic.
   • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
2. Preparing the filling:
   • In a pan, heat the oil and sauté the onion and garlic until golden.
   • Add the tomato paste and stir well.
   • Incorporate the shredded chicken and herbs, stirring to combine.
   • Stir in the cream cheese and olives until the filling is creamy and well combined.
   • If needed, add a splash of chicken broth to adjust the consistency.
   • Season with salt to taste and set aside to cool.
3. Assembly:
   • Take the dough out of the fridge and roll it out on a floured surface to a medium thickness (not too thin, not too thick).
   • Using a cutter or a round mold, cut the dough into circles.
   • Place a generous portion of filling in the center of each circle.
   • Optional: add a piece of cheese on top of the filling.
   • Fold the circles over to create half-moons, pressing the edges firmly with a fork to seal and add a nice finish.
   • Brush the pastries with egg yolk and, if desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds or oregano.
4. Baking:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
   • Bake until they are golden brown and crispy.

Pro-Tips:

Feel free to customize your filling! Beyond classic chicken, you can try ground beef, ham and cheese, or vegetarian options like hearts of palm and spinach. The key is to ensure the filling is well-seasoned and not too wet.

Handle the dough as little as possible to avoid overworking the gluten, which can make it tough. The secret is mixing until just incorporated.

If you’re unsure about the thickness, do a test run with one piece. If the dough is too thin, it might tear; too thick, and it won’t be as light and flaky.

Prep Time:

About 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Yield:

Makes approximately 10 to 12 pastries, depending on dough thickness and mold size.

Why Guaraná Soda?

Using carbonated soft drinks in pastry dough is a classic Brazilian technique. Guaraná is favored for its slightly sweet flavor, which contrasts beautifully with savory fillings. Furthermore, the carbonation helps create a light, airy, and flaky texture that is hard to achieve with water or milk alone.

These baked pastries are a healthier alternative to traditional fried versions, significantly reducing fat content while maintaining all the flavor. It’s a perfect treat for anyone looking for a balanced snack.

Ready to impress? This Guaraná Soda Pastry is sure to be a hit!