Pastilla Recipe: Cooking Leftovers

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of shredded cooked chicken, turkey or beef
• 1/2 cup of chopped onions
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup of chopped almonds or pistachios (optional)
• 1/2 cup of butter, melted
• 1 package of phyllo dough
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup of powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, sauté the onions over medium heat until they turn golden, then add the minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes.
3. Add the shredded leftover meat to the skillet and stir in the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, paprika, parsley, and chopped nuts. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Lay out the phyllo dough on a flat surface and brush each sheet with melted butter. Cut the phyllo into 3-inch squares, then place a tablespoon of the filling mixture onto the center of each square. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling to create a small, square-shaped pastilla. Brush the top surface of the pastillas with beaten egg.
5. Bake the pastillas for 15-20 minutes until they turn golden brown. Take them out of the oven and sprinkle each pastilla with powdered sugar.

Serving Suggestions:

These pastillas make a great appetizer or snack. They can be served either hot or cold, and go well with sauces such as honey, harissa, or a sweet chutney. Enjoy!

Verdict:

This pastilla recipe transforms leftover meat into a delicious snack or appetizer. The exotic combination of spices and nuts adds texture and flavor to the meat, while the phyllo dough creates a crispy shell. Overall, these pastillas are a great way to re-purpose leftovers into a tasty new dish.