Pastel is a popular finger food found across Brazil, from upscale beachside botecas to fry daddies mounted in makeshift VW Kombi kitchens. This recipe for the dough can be made days in advance and then refrigerated. The fillings vary greatly but three traditional options are mozzarella cheese, seasoned shredded chicken or ground beef browned with chopped garlic and onion. You don't even need a deep fryer, a handy skillet will do the trick.
