Express Seafood Pastilla

Express Seafood Pastilla is a medium Moroccan recipe that serves 4. 600 calories per serving. Recipe by Casa Bena Cuisine on YouTube.

Prep: 51 min | Cook: 33 min | Total: 1 hr 39 min

Cost: $18.85 total, $4.71 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 package Brick pastry sheets (Approximately 12 sheets, ready to use)
  • 100 g Rice vermicelli (Chinese vermicelli) (Fine vermicelli, rice vermicelli type)
  • 500 g Frozen seafood cocktail (Mix of shrimp, calamari and mussels)
  • 1 piece Shallot (Finely minced)
  • 1 piece Red bell pepper (Cut into small dice)
  • 3 cloves Garlic (Minced)
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro (Chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (Chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Mild pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Harissa (or pepper) (If you don't have harissa, use black pepper)
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1/2 lemon Half preserved lemon (Cut into small pieces; if unavailable, juice of half a lemon)
  • 150 g Unsalted butter (Melted, then warmed to brush the sheets)
  • 3 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Salty soy sauce (To season the vermicelli)

Instructions

  1. Rehydrate the vermicelli

    Place the vermicelli in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Let rest 10 minutes until tender, then drain.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Prepare the aromatics

    Finely mince the shallot, dice the red bell pepper, chop the garlic, cilantro and parsley.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Sauté the shallot and pepper

    Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and pepper, sauté 5 minutes until lightly golden.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Cook the seafood and spices

    Add the seafood cocktail, the 3 minced garlic cloves, turmeric, ginger, cumin, mild pepper, salt and soy sauce if desired. Cook over high heat 5 minutes stirring, until the mixture is well dry.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Season the filling

    Stir in the half preserved lemon, tomato paste, harissa, remaining turmeric and the cilantro‑parsley mixture. Mix for 2 minutes then cook an additional 5 minutes.

    Time: PT7M

  6. Cool the filling

    Transfer the filling to a wide dish and let cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

  7. Prepare the vermicelli

    Cut the rehydrated vermicelli into small pieces with kitchen scissors. Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce, mix so the vermicelli absorbs the sauce.

    Time: PT3M

  8. Combine vermicelli and filling

    Fold the seasoned vermicelli into the cooled filling and mix well for even distribution.

    Time: PT2M

  9. Prepare the colored butter

    Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat until it turns lightly golden and gives a nutty aroma, about 3 minutes.

    Time: PT3M

  10. Brush the brick sheets

    Using a brush, coat each brick sheet with melted butter on both sides to prevent tearing during baking.

    Time: PT2M

  11. Form the mini pastillas

    Place a heaping tablespoon of filling in the center of each sheet, fold into a basket shape (fan fold) and seal the edges with your fingers.

    Time: PT10M

  12. Use the cupcake mold

    Place each folded pastilla into a cupcake mold to hold its shape while baking.

    Time: PT2M

  13. Bake

    Bake the pastillas in a preheated oven at 200°C for 20 minutes, until golden and crisp.

    Time: PT20M

    Temperature: 200°C

  14. Final decoration

    When out of the oven, garnish each pastilla with a small shrimp, a drizzle of lemon and a parsley leaf.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
600
Protein
30 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
35 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: non-vegetarian, contains gluten, contains dairy, high in protein, high-protein

Allergens: crustaceans, mollusks, milk, gluten

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Express Seafood Pastilla

Recipe by Casa Bena Cuisine

Crispy mini seafood pastillas flavored with Moroccan spices, easy to prepare for Ramadan or any festive occasion.

MediumMoroccanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
42m
Prep
47m
Cook
11m
Cleanup
1h 40m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$18.85
Total cost
$4.71
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Properly rehydrate the vermicelli
  • Dry the filling to avoid moisture in the pastry
  • Generously brush the brick sheets with butter
  • Precise folding of the sheets to form a hermetic basket
  • Bake until a uniform golden color

Safety Warnings

  • Watch out for hot oil splatters when frying.
  • Melted butter is very hot; handle with care.
  • Use scissors cautiously to avoid cuts.

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