Pasteles al Horno [Video+Recipe] Pastelón en Hoja Casserole

This recipe for pasteles al horno, or pastelón "en hoja", greatly simplifies the process and retains the flavors and textures we love so much.

📝 Ingredients

• Filling ((see list above recipe))
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ((optional, for this I used a mozzarella and mild cheddar mix))
• 1 plantain (green, unripe) (peeled and chopped)
• 1/3 pound yautía (malanga) ([151 g] peeled and chopped )
• 1/3 pound auyama (kabocha squash) ([151 g] peeled and chopped)
• 1 tablespoon seasoning powder ((salt-free, must contain garlic and onion))
• 1 1/4 cup milk (whole or skim) ([296 ml])
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon salted butter ([28 g])
• 1 tablespoon bija (annato, achiote) powder
• vegetable oil (to grease pan and leaves)
• 2 plantain leave squares
• 2 leafs parchment paper ((Amazon affiliate link))
• Aluminum foil
• Salt
• Ketchup ((optional))
• Hot sauce ((optional))

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- 1. Making the batter ---
2. 2Making batter: Make the batter by one of the following methods:- By hand: Grate the plantain, yautía, and auyama with the least coarse side of the grater. Once grated, combine with seasoning powder, milk, salt, butter, and bija, and mix well.- With blender or food processor: Chop the plantain, yautía, and auyama, and combine seasoning powder, milk, salt, butter, and bija. Pureé in a strong blender or a food processor until it's uniform, and you can't feel any clumps, but feels like grains of sand in it. It may take 5-10 minutes depending on the blender/processor.
3. 3--- 2. Layering the pastelón ---
4. 4Layering: Grease with oil a lasagna pan, then line the bottom with parchment paper, then with a piece of plantain leaf that has also been greased beforehand.Layer half of the batter, then layer the filling. Add a layer of cheese, then the remaining batter.Cover with a greased plantain leaf rectangle, then cover very tightly with aluminum foil.
5. 5--- 3. Baking ---
6. 6Baking: Bake in an oven preheated to 300 ºF [150 ºC] for 50 minutes.Remove from the oven and carefully lift a corner of the aluminum foil to check for doneness. Cover again and return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes if necessary. Let it rest covered for 15 minutes, or until it's time to serve.
7. 7--- 4. Serving ---
8. 8Serving: Serve garnished with hot sauce and/or ketchup.