Empadão de Atum

empadão_de_atum

Empadão de Atum, also known as Tuna Fish Pie, is a hearty and comforting Portuguese dish that is perfect for a midweek meal or special occasion. This dish is made with flaky pastry dough, savory tuna and a variety of vegetables and spices.

Originating in Portugal, Empadão de Atum has become a popular dish worldwide, thanks to its versatility and delicious taste. It is essentially a pot pie that is made with tuna fish, potatoes, carrots, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and olives, which are seasoned with traditional herbs and spices like bay leaves, thyme, and black pepper.

Empadão de Atum is a great choice for a family dinner as it’s easy to make and can be customized to suit any taste preferences. The recipe can be made with different types of fish, meat or vegetables to make it vegetarian, so it cater for everyone’s dietary requirements.

The highlight of this dish is the flaky pastry crust that encases the filling. The layers of pastry create a crunchy texture and add a subtle buttery flavor that complements the savory filling perfectly. It’s a great way to use up any leftover ingredients you have in your pantry as well.

The other bonus of Empadão de Atum is that it can be made ahead of time and then reheated in the oven when you are ready to eat. This makes it a perfect meal option for busy nights when you’re short on time or if you’re looking to prepare meals ahead of time.

To start making the perfect Empadão de Atum, you need to prepare the pastry dough which is the essential building block of this dish. You can make this from scratch, or use store-bought pastry dough to save some time. The pastry dough is divided into two parts – one for the base and the other for the top crust layer.

Then, the filling is prepared. The tuna is flaked into small pieces and mixed with cooked potatoes, carrots, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and green olives. The mixture is then seasoned with herbs and spices and stirred well to ensure that the flavors meld together perfectly.

Once everything is prepared, the pastry dough is rolled out and placed in a baking dish, followed by the filling. The top crust is then placed over the filling and the edges are sealed together to ensure that the filling is completely enclosed.

Finally, the Empadão de Atum is baked in the oven for about 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is piping hot. It can be served straight from the oven with a side salad or some crusty bread.

In conclusion, Empadão de Atum is a delicious and rustic Portuguese dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a great way to introduce different flavors and textures to your mealtime while also being an easy and quick option for busy nights. It’s a comforting and hearty dish that the whole family will love.

Ingredients:

  • 500g of potatoes
  • 500g of tuna
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 300 ml of milk
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated cheese

Instructions:

  1. Peel and cut the potatoes into small pieces. Boil in salted water until they are soft.

  2. Drain the potatoes well and mash them with butter, milk, egg yolk, salt and black pepper. Set aside.

  3. In a pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic until golden brown.

  4. Add the diced tomatoes and bay leaf and cook until the tomatoes are soft.

  5. Add the tuna to the pan, season with salt and black pepper and cook for another minute.

  6. Grease a baking dish with butter and spread half of the mashed potatoes on the bottom.

  7. Spread the tuna mixture on top of the potatoes and cover with the rest of the mashed potatoes.

  8. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

  9. Sprinkle grated cheese on top of the potatoes and bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

  10. Serve hot as a main course with a salad on the side. Enjoy your delicious Empadão de Atum!