By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on September 26, 2023 | Last Updated on September 26, 2023
Belizean Panades are a beloved appetizer throughout Belize. A combination of a dough pocket filled with succulent meats, vegetables, and spices, these panades are full of taste and texture.
Traditionally served as street food or in restaurants, this unique dish is popular all over the country. The great thing about Belizean panades is that they are incredibly easy to make and can be easily customized.
In this article, we go over the traditional procedure for making Belizean Panades and provide tips to make them even more flavorful. We also answer some common questions related to the dish so you can learn everything you need to know about this delicious treat!
What are Belizean Panades?
Belizean Panades are a traditional dish from the Central American country of Belize. It is made with masa harina, a finely ground corn flour, which is mixed with spices and vegetables to form a dough.
The dough is then formed into small pocket-shaped rounds and filled with meats, vegetables, beans, or cheese. Belizean Panades are often served as appetizers or snacks but can also be enjoyed as a main course when accompanied by a salad or rice.
Belizean Panades are also perfect for those looking for low-calorie meals as each panade only contains a small amount of calories. With the right ingredients and easy steps, you can have this unique and flavorful dish in no time.
What does it taste like?
The taste of Belizean Panades depends on the type of filling that is used. Generally, they are mild and slightly salty due to the masa harina.
The other ingredients used to make the dough also contribute to its flavor, such as bell peppers, onions, garlic, and achiote paste.
The fillings can range from savory to sweet. Popular savory fillings include cooked and shredded chicken, fish, or beans.
For a sweeter version, you can add fruits like apples or bananas to the filling. The sweetness of the fruit complements the mild taste of the masa harina nicely.
How did I first get introduced to the Belizean Panades?
I was first introduced to Belizean Panades when I visited the Caribbean country of Belize. During my trip, I had the chance to try this unique dish in a local restaurant.
As soon as I bit into one of these little pocket-shaped snacks, I was amazed by its flavor and texture. The dough was light and fluffy, while the fillings were flavorful and succulent.
Soon after, I decided to learn how to make these delicious snacks. I asked the restaurant staff for some tips and they kindly gave me a few pointers. With their help, I was able to perfect my own version of Belizean Panades.
Back at home, I shared my newfound knowledge with my family and friends. Everyone was eager to try my homemade snacks, so I made a bunch of them for us all. As expected, they were a hit!
Since then, these beloved snacks have become one of our favorites. Whenever we get together, especially during the holidays, I’m always asked to make Belizean Panades. It’s a tradition that we all look forward to!
You’ll also like the following Appetizer recipes!
- Redrock Grilled Shrimp Copycat Recipe
- Angus Barn Cheese Spread
- How To Make Pasquale’s Stromboli Steak Sandwich
How to make Belizean Panades?
Making Belizean Panades is incredibly easy and requires just a few basic ingredients. To make these snacks, you will need to follow the instructions below:
Ingredients
- Salt: Salt adds flavor to the dish and enhances its taste.
- Bell Peppers: Bell peppers add a sweet and slightly smoky taste, as well as vibrant colors.
- Masa Harina (Corn Masa Flour): Masa harina is a finely ground corn flour that gives panades their doughy texture.
- Water: Water helps bind the ingredients together to form the dough.
- Oil for Frying: Oil is used for frying the panades so they become crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- Belizean Recado (Achiote Paste): Achiote paste adds a unique flavor to the dish, as well as a nice orange-red color.
- Garlic: Garlic adds a spicy and earthy flavor to the dish.
- Onions: Onions add sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish.
- Fillings: Fillings can be anything you like – cooked and shredded chicken, fish, or beans all work well. They help make panades more satisfying and flavorful.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
In a bowl, mix together the masa harina, salt, bell peppers, onions, and garlic.
Step 2
Add in the water and knead until you have a soft dough. If necessary, add more water or masa harina to get the desired consistency.
Step 3
Divide the dough into 10 equal parts and shape each part into a small circle. Place the filling in the middle of each circle and fold it to form a pocket.
Step 4
Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the panades for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5
Drain the panades on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips
- If you don’t have masa harina, you can use cornmeal as a substitute.
- If you want to add some extra flavor, try adding spices like cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano to the dough.
- To make it even more flavorful, try adding some diced tomatoes or jalapenos to the filling.
- If you want a sweeter version of panades, substitute the salt for sugar and add some fruit fillings like apple or banana.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Belizean Panades?
Here are some delicious sides that go perfectly with Belizean Panades:
- Refried Beans: A classic Mexican side dish, refried beans are rich and creamy.
- Plantains: Plantains are a popular dish in Central America and full of flavor. They can be boiled or fried for an extra crispy texture.
- Rice and Beans: This is a typical Latin-American dish made of white or red rice mixed with beans.
- Guacamole: This creamy dip works great as an accompaniment for panades.
- Salad: For a light and healthy side, you can serve a simple salad made with lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and cabbage.
- Salsa: Salsa is a great way to add some extra spice to the panades.
- Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream goes well with the warm and flavorful panades.
- Tortilla Chips: For an extra crunchy side, you can serve tortilla chips on the side.
How to store leftover Belizean Panades?
If you have any leftover panades, the best way to store them is in an airtight container. This will help preserve it for a few days. To keep it fresh, place the container in the refrigerator or freezer.
When you’re ready to have your panades again, simply reheat them in the oven or microwave. You can also try toasting it over a skillet on medium heat for a few minutes until it’s crispy and hot.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, this dish is safe for pregnant women if the ingredients are cooked properly. They should make sure to cook the masa harina and fillings until they are thoroughly cooked, as raw or undercooked food can contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
The oil used for frying also needs to be at a safe temperature to prevent burning. It is important to note that pregnant women should also watch their intake of sodium.
The masa harina and the achiote paste contain some amount of sodium, so it’s best to limit your consumption of panades if you are monitoring your salt intake.
Pregnant women should also pay attention to the additional fillings used in the dish. If consuming cooked chicken or fish, pregnant women should ensure that it’s fully cooked and free of any bacteria.
In conclusion, Belizean Panades can be a delicious snack that pregnant women can enjoy as long as they take the necessary precautions when preparing and eating the dish.
Belizean Panades Recipe
Equipment
- A pan and bowl
Ingredients
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp diced bell peppers
- 1 cup masa harina
- 1/2 cup water
- olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp Belizean recado
- 1 minced garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp diced onions
- Chicken, fish, or beans, (Cooked and shredded)
Instructions
- Combine the masa harina, salt, bell peppers, onions, and garlic in a bowl.
- Knead the dough until it has reached a soft consistency, adding more water or masa harina if necessary.
- Divide the dough into 10 pieces and roll each piece into a circle. Place 1 tablespoon of your desired filling in the center and fold the dough around it.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, then fry each panade for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil and serve warm with your favorite condiment.
Notes
- If you don’t have masa harina, you can use cornmeal as a substitute.
- If you want to add some extra flavor, try adding spices like cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano to the dough.
- To make it even more flavorful, try adding some diced tomatoes or jalapenos to the filling.
- If you want a sweeter version of panades, substitute the salt for sugar and add some fruit fillings like apple or banana.
FAQs
How can I make it vegan?
To make it vegan, you can substitute the chicken or fish fillings with mashed avocados or cooked beans. You can also use plant-based ingredients for the recado paste instead of achiote.
Can I bake panades instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake panades in the oven. Simply brush each side with some oil and bake in a preheated oven at 400F for 15 minutes.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this dish is naturally gluten-free as it uses corn masa flour instead of wheat flour. However, make sure to check the ingredients of the recado paste if you have any concerns about gluten.
What if I don’t have Belizean Recado?
If you don’t have Belizean recado, you can substitute it with a mix of annatto seeds and spices. To make the paste, grind 2 tablespoons of annatto seeds in a spice grinder until powdery.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for taking the time to read about Belizean Panades. We hope that this guide has given you a better understanding of how to make them properly.
Please share this article with your friends and family, so they can also learn how to make this tasty yet nutritious appetizer.
You’ll also like the latest recipes!
My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
