About This Dish
The crown jewel of Moroccan cuisine and the dish that best embodies the country's sweet-savory philosophy. Layers of tissue-thin warqa pastry enclose a filling of slow-cooked pigeon (or chicken), eggs scrambled in the cooking juices, and toasted almonds sweetened with cinnamon and sugar. The assembled pie is baked until the pastry shatters at the touch, then dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon in an intricate lattice pattern. Pastilla is a Fassi masterpiece that originated in the royal courts and remains the most prestigious dish served at Moroccan celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 pigeons or 1 chicken Pigeons or chicken
- 12 sheets Warqa pastry sheets (or phyllo)
- 8 Eggs, beaten
- 200 g Blanched almonds, toasted and ground
- 3 large Onions, finely chopped
- 1 bunch each Fresh cilantro and parsley
- 1 tsp Saffron threads
- 2 tbsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground ginger
- 100 g Powdered sugar
- 150 g Butter, melted
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1
Cook pigeon/chicken with onions, herbs, saffron, ginger, salt, pepper, and water for 1 hour until falling apart.
- 2
Shred meat and set aside. Reduce cooking liquid until thick.
- 3
Pour beaten eggs into the reduced liquid, stirring to form soft, saucy scrambled eggs.
- 4
Mix ground almonds with half the cinnamon and half the powdered sugar.
- 5
Brush a round pan with butter. Layer 6 warqa sheets, overlapping and draping over edges.
- 6
Spread the egg mixture, then the shredded meat, then the almond mixture.
- 7
Fold overhanging pastry over the filling. Top with remaining sheets, tucking edges under.
- 8
Brush top generously with melted butter. Bake at 180C (350F) for 30 minutes until golden.
- 9
Invert onto a platter. Dust with remaining powdered sugar and create a cinnamon lattice pattern.
Tips & Tricks
- Phyllo dough is the most accessible substitute for traditional warqa pastry.
- The egg layer must be moist but not wet, or the pastry will become soggy.
- The sugar and cinnamon decoration is not optional — it defines the dish.
- Chicken thighs are the best substitute for pigeon.