meat
baked
everyday
main course
creamy
Latin American
all seasons
Hot


Pastel de Choclo - Chilean Corn Pie
Difficulty
medium
Time
1h 10m
Price Category
average
Calories
Medium
Pastel de Choclo is an iconic Chilean dish, offering a perfect harmony of comfort and flavor. This hearty casserole features a savory ground meat base, enriched with hard-boiled eggs and olives, all crowned with a creamy, slightly sweet corn puree. It's an ideal choice for a family lunch or dinner, guaranteed to transport you to the heart of South America.
ingredients
Steps
Prepare the Meat Filling
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and dried oregano, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon, for about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the sliced black olives, then remove from heat.
Make the Corn Puree
In a large pot, bring lightly salted water to a boil. Add the corn kernels and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender. Drain well, then transfer to a blender or food processor. Add the whole milk, unsalted butter, chopped fresh basil, and optional granulated sugar. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Assemble and Bake
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Spread the seasoned ground meat filling evenly over the bottom of a large baking dish. Arrange the sliced hard-boiled eggs over the meat. Carefully pour the corn puree over the eggs and spread it evenly. If using, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Extra Tips
► For an even creamier corn topping, replace some of the milk with heavy cream.
► If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat filling.
► Sprinkle a little extra sugar on top of the corn puree before baking for a caramelized crust.
Nutrition
| Per 100g | Per Serving 300g | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 210 kcal | 630 kcal |
| Protein | 14g | 42g |
| Fat | 12g | 36g |
| Carbohydrate | 10g | 30g |
| Fiber | 2g | 6g |
| Sugar | 3g | 9g |