RecipesChilePastel de Jaiba

Pastel de Jaiba

A rich and flavorful Chilean casserole made with fresh crab meat, a creamy sauce, and a mashed potato or pumpkin topping.

Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings6
DifficultyMedium
Pastel de Jaiba - Chile traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 500 g Fresh crab meat(picked and cleaned)
  • 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups Milk
  • 0.5 cup White wine
  • 0.5 cup Heavy cream
  • 0.25 cup Parsley(chopped)
  • 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
  • 1 kg Potatoes(peeled and boiled until tender)
  • 2 tbsp Butter(for mashing potatoes)
  • 0.25 cup Milk(for mashing potatoes)
  • 50 g Parmesan cheese(grated, for topping)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Sauté the chopped onion in butter in a large pan over medium heat until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

  4. 4

    Gradually whisk in the milk and white wine until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened.

  5. 5

    Stir in the heavy cream, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Add the crab meat and gently mix to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

  6. 6

    Mash the boiled potatoes with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

  7. 7

    Pour the crab mixture into a baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top.

  8. 8

    Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Use fresh, high-quality crab meat for the best flavor.
  • If fresh crab is unavailable, good quality canned or frozen crab meat can be used, but drain it very well.
  • For a richer topping, you can use mashed pumpkin (zapallo) instead of potatoes.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
  • Include a tablespoon of chopped chives for extra freshness.

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