Tuesday, 26 May 2015

Paifala - Pineapple Pies a Popular Samoan Dessert

Today some of the students at Meadowbank School took part in baking a popular Samoan pie called 'Paifala' or Pineapple Pie.  Some students compared it to looking like samosas, dumplings or a lemon meringue only with pineapple.

It was a hit with students and the staff!!




Here's the recipe if you would like to try it at home with your family.

Pai Fala (Pineapple Pie)

This recipe will make 2 large pastries.
Ingredients:
Pie crust:
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
50 grams of soft butter
About 300 gm of coconut milk
Filling:
1 440gm tin of crushed pineapple in natural juice
1 heaped tablespoon of custard powder
2-3 tablespoons of sugar

Method:
For the Filling
Pour the crushed pineapple into a sieve that is placed over a bowl.
Gently press onto it with the back of a spoon to extract the juice.
Mix the custard powder and the sugar into the juice.
Microwave 1 minute in a microwave safe bowl/jug. Then stir.
Microwave 1 further minute. It should have thickened. If not, microwave for a few more seconds.
Add the crushed pineapple, then leave the filling to cool
For the pie crust:
Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl
Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips.
Add enough coconut milk (about 300gm) to make a scone like dough
Mix only enough until it holds together (do not over mix as it will become tough)
Divide into two halves.
Roll each out on a floured surface, lift over a dinner plate and trim the surface.
Spoon pineapple filling onto half of it, and flip over.
Carefully pinch the two edges together and then make a pattern with the prongs of a fork.
Prick a few holes into the top.
Lift the Pai Fala onto an oven tray and bake 15-20 minutes at 170 degrees C until golden brown.
Sieve icing sugar over the top, or sprinkle with a mixture of brown sugar and icing sugar. Let it cool a little before serving. 


1 comment:

  1. That was so much fun because it is a new thing to learn!

    ReplyDelete