UK
One dish that I can’t resist in Britain is a savoury pie. Of course as any traditional food you can find the good, the bad and the ugly. But for me it means, obviously, comfort. And there is way more to it. Have you heard about ’empada’? And ’empada de queijo’? Cheese pie I bet you did!
Well, let me tell you…
‘Empada’ is our Brazilian version of what the Brits commonly recognise as a savoury pie, a pub pie. The principle is very similar – pastry filled with something delicious.
However, among Brits and Brazilian ones there is a difference in taste, format and conception… er… almost everything. Not really… It’s complicated!
So, there are the ’empadas’ (pies) which normally refer to a cupcake size piece. ‘Empadinhas’ (little pies literally) can be smaller and more delicates. ‘Empadões’ are Brit alike in terms of volume.
‘Empadas’ are street food there too. You can find it pretty much in any corner – as pub food, on bakeries, coffee shops. Recently, ’empadas’ became stars of specialised franchised brands.
‘Empada’ is pop!
I can say that the most common filling is chicken, richly cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic and herbs, sometimes added with olives, peas… Some people might say it others though. Brazil is huge. Each region has its own version and preferences.
Then there are other ’empada’ celebrities – shrimp is posh (and lovely when perfectly made), smoked meat became a hipster love on recent years, palm tree has been around forever.
This cheese pie is a little more unusual especially because there is no lid, which makes life so much easier!!!
Hope you enjoy!
Empadas de queijo (cheese pie)
Ingredients
Dough:
7 tbsp of flour
1 to 2 tbsp of butter
1 egg yolk dissolved in 3 to 4 tbsp of water
1 teaspoon of salt
Filling:
1 cup of grated cheese (I used cheddar)
1/2 cup of mil
1/2 cup of melted butter
2 eggs
Chives chopped
Cupcake baking tray (or similar)
Mix the dough ingredients with the tip of your fingers and let it rest. Work on the filling. Mix everything in a bowl. Butter the baking tray. Make a little ball of dough in one cupcake space and open it, shaping it with the tip of your fingers. Add the filling.
Bake it on the oven between 180C and 200C until it browns.
More delicious stories and recipes for you to discover and Cook It Yourself: