746 pasteli recipes

Foolproof meringue that never weeps or shrinks, stabilized with a cornstarch paste mixed into the egg whites. Golden brown in 30 minutes on any cream pie.

Lightened almond macaroons with wheat germ replacing almond paste, baked at ultra-low temperature. Only 30 calories per cookie with crisp, airy texture.

Whole grilled speckled trout brushed with seasoned flour-oil paste and hot sauce. Quick 10-minute fisherman's-camp dinner straight off the grill.

Pitlai is a South Indian lentil stew with bitter gourd (karela), chickpeas, tamarind, and a ground coconut-spice paste. A tangy, complex vegetarian curry with toor dal and jaggery.

Crispy Chinese-American shrimp toast: golden-fried bread triangles topped with seasoned shrimp paste, fresh ginger, water chestnuts, and toasted sesame seeds. A classic dim sum starter.

Chow spice paste with garlic, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, coriander, and mustard seeds blended smooth. A Caribbean-style all-purpose seasoning base that keeps in the fridge.

Galveston rub: a wet Texas Gulf Coast paste of crushed garlic, cayenne, paprika, and lemon juice for poultry and pork. Four ingredients, ten minutes, makes about ⅓ cup.

Homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning paste with allspice, scallions, thyme, scotch bonnet pepper, and fresh lime juice. Blend and rub on any meat for authentic island heat.

Indian-style deep-fried whitefish marinated in a garlic, cumin, coriander, and star anise paste with lemon juice. Crispy, golden, and packed with warm spice.

Traditional Japanese sweet azuki bean paste (anko) made with adzuki beans, kombu, raisins, and barley malt. Naturally sweetened, vegan, and endlessly versatile for Japanese desserts.

Thai Tom Yum Gung, the classic hot and sour shrimp soup with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, enoki mushrooms, and chili paste. Bright, fiery, deeply aromatic.

Curry-glazed duck legs roast under a paste of jalapeno, ginger, garlic, and curry powder, then braise in orange-lime juice with chicken stock. The skin re-crisps for shatteringly crackly results.

Bold brisket marinade paste with Szechuan peppercorns, garlic, paprika, lemongrass oil, dry mustard, and red wine. Score the meat, rub it in, and marinate for several days for deep flavor penetration.

Cajun seafood gumbo with shrimp, lump crab, ham, and okra built on a dark cocoa-colored roux. Finished with file powder for authentic Louisiana flavor and body.

Spiced pot roast marinated in a blended paste of cumin, turmeric, ginger, rosemary, French mustard, poppy seeds, and lemon. Braised tender on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.

Vietnamese Buddhist peanut dipping sauce made with tuong (fermented soybean paste), roasted peanuts, and sugar. A 10-minute vegan condiment for spring rolls and fresh vegetables.