Moroccan B’stilla (Savoury Sweet Pie) Recipe
Moroccan B’stilla, also known as pastilla, is a traditional pie that masterfully combines savory and sweet flavors. Historically made with pigeon, modern versions often use chicken as the primary protein. The pie features spiced meat, eggs cooked in a fragrant broth, and roasted almonds, all encased in layers of thin, flaky pastry such as warqa or phyllo dough.
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Servings 4
Calories 413 kcal
- 2 medium pigeons or chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp saffron threads crumbled
- 1 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup almonds blanched and toasted
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp orange blossom water
- 12 sheets warqa or phyllo dough
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
In a large pot, heat the oil and sauté the pigeon pieces with onions, cinnamon, ginger, saffron, salt, and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat. Add water, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes or until the pigeon is tender.
Once the pigeon is tender, remove it from the pot, shred the meat from the bones, and set it aside. Continue simmering the broth to reduce it.
In the same pot with the reduced broth, crack the eggs and stir constantly until they scramble and absorb the liquid, creating a thick egg mixture.
Toast the almonds in a dry pan until golden. Grind the almonds and mix them with powdered sugar and orange blossom water to form a sweet almond paste.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush a 10-inch pie dish with melted butter. Place a sheet of warqa (or phyllo) in the dish, allowing the edges to hang over. Continue layering 6 sheets, brushing each with butter.
Spread the shredded pigeon meat over the layered dough, then top with the scrambled egg mixture. Finally, layer the almond mixture over the eggs.
Fold the overhanging dough over the filling. Add more dough sheets on top, sealing the pie with butter. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
Remove the B’stilla from the oven, and garnish with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Serve hot, slicing the pie for an indulgent balance of savoury and sweet.
Serving: 1Calories: 413kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 11gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 217mgSodium: 335mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9g