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: March 11, 2026

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates PartnerTrusted

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.

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.

You Might Also Like

Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

Zucchini and Meat Tagine with Eggplant Caviar

Zucchini and Meat Tagine with Eggplant Caviar

A fragrant Moroccan tagine where tender small zucchinis soak up a rich meat sauce, spiced with warm spices, and served with a creamy eggplant caviar. Perfect for a convivial family meal.

2 hrs
Serves 4
$18
4 views
MoroccanMedium
Royal couscous with three meats

Royal couscous with three meats

Royal couscous inspired by the Maghreb with a French touch: light semolina, colorful vegetables, chickpeas, veal, merguez and roasted chicken drumsticks, all flavored with spices, butter and coriander. Ideal for a convivial meal among friends.

4 hrs 35 min
Serves 6
$22
5 views
MoroccanMedium
Coconut and Semolina Riba

Coconut and Semolina Riba

Traditional Moroccan Eid cake, light and crunchy, made with coconut, semolina and scented with orange blossom water. Easy to prepare by hand, it is enjoyed as crispy biscuits.

1 hr 10 min
Serves 8
$6
4 views
MoroccanEasy
Sweet Couscous (Couscous CEFA)

Sweet Couscous (Couscous CEFA)

A traditional Moroccan sweet couscous, called Couscous CEFA, made with semolina, raisins, butter and flavored with cinnamon. Ideal for Ramadan or as a festive dessert.

1 hr 27 min
Serves 8
$9
9 views
MoroccanEasy
Moroccan Lemon Chicken Tagine - Ultimate North African Stew

Moroccan Lemon Chicken Tagine - Ultimate North African Stew

A fragrant, comforting Moroccan-inspired chicken tagine simmered with warming spices, preserved lemons, and olives, served over spiced couscous. Perfect for a hearty dinner with bold flavors and a touch of sweet balance.

1 hr 25 min
Serves 4
$106
1 views
MoroccanMedium
Vermicelli Soup with Turkey Meatballs and Mushrooms

Vermicelli Soup with Turkey Meatballs and Mushrooms

A comforting soup perfect for Ramadan, combining vermicelli, herb‑flavored turkey meatballs, melt‑in‑your‑mouth potatoes and tasty mushrooms, all enriched with silky cream and fresh chives.

1 hr 37 min
Serves 4
$8
3 views
MoroccanMedium