Florence Mae Maglanoc’s Lamb Shoulder Caldereta Pie

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Florence Mae Maglanoc’s Lamb Shoulder Caldereta Pie transforms the Filipino-style caldereta—known for its savory, rich sauce—into a comforting pie that’s both indulgent and soul-warming. It combines tender lamb shoulder, creamy layered potatoes, vibrant bell peppers, and a savory liver-infused sauce, all enclosed in flaky puff pastry. This elegant twist on a traditional stew captures deep, layered flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

(Metric and Imperial are paraphrased and combined)

Caldereta sauce: chopped onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, beef or chicken stock, chicken-liver pâté or liver spread, soy sauce, vinegar, cane sugar, bay leaf, chopped red & green bell peppers, chopped carrot, season with salt & pepper
Puff pastry: plain flour, a pinch of salt, cold butter, iced water
Lamb: cubed lamb shoulder; sliced carrots and bell pepper
Potato pavé: large potatoes, minced garlic, heavy cream, salt & pepper
Garnish: chive oil

Directions

Begin by sautéing onion and garlic until softened before stirring in tomato paste, stock, liver spread, soy sauce, vinegar, cane sugar, and bay leaf to simmer into a rich sauce. Add chopped peppers and carrot, season, and set aside.
Prepare pastry by combining flour, salt, and butter until coarse, then stirring in ice water to form dough; fold and roll repeatedly before chilling.
Make potato pavé by thinly layering potatoes with garlic, cream, salt, and pepper; bake until tender and cool.
Brown lamb cubes, then simmer in the caldereta sauce until tender.
Cut and assemble: pastry bases topped with vegetables, potato pavé rounds, then lamb mixture. Chill to firm up, then cover with pastry lids, seal, score for steam vents, brush with egg wash, and bake until golden and bubbly. Finish with extra sauce and chive oil. Great British Chefs

Nutrients

Calories: hearty and rich (exact values not provided, but expect high for a multi-layered lamb pie with pastry and cream)
Protein: substantial, from lamb
Fat: moderate to high, due to butter (pastry), cream (potatoes), and lamb fat
Carbohydrates: from pastry, potatoes, and vegetables
Vitamins & Minerals: vitamin A and C from peppers and carrots, iron from lamb and liver, calcium from cream
Dietary fiber: minimal (vegetables provide some)

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Florence Mae Maglanoc’s recipe elevates the traditional Filipino caldereta stew into an elegant, yet soulful pie that bridges cultural comfort with refined presentation. It stands out for how it layers textures and flavors: the stewy, deeply savory sauce—thanks to the inclusion of liver paste—meets creamy, slow-cooked potato pavé, all encased in buttery puff pastry, offering a symphony of taste and mouthfeel.

What truly sets it apart is the creative reinterpretation of a family-style Filipino staple into a modern pie format. The assembly with potato pavé adds finesse, and the chive oil delivers a final flourish of freshness, balancing richness. It’s both nostalgic and novel, familiar yet surprising.

The Benefits of the Ingredients

The recipe’s components offer more than flavor—they bring nutritional and culinary advantages:

Lamb shoulder delivers deep, meaty richness. As a fatty cut, when slow-cooked, it yields tender, moist meat loaded with iron, zinc, and B vitamins essential for energy and immunity. The slow braise helps develop flavor while breaking down connective tissues for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

The caldereta sauce blends onion, garlic, tomato paste, and liver spread, infusing umami and depth. Garlic and onion provide antioxidants, while tomato paste offers lycopene, a heart-healthy antioxidant. The use of liver pâté contributes vitamin A, iron, and richness in flavor. Soy sauce and vinegar introduce complexity and balance via umami and acidity; cane sugar softens the edges; bay leaf and peppers add aromatic lift.

Vegetables—bell peppers and carrot—bring brightness, fiber, and vitamins A and C. The creamy potato pavé not only delivers comforting creaminess, but also provides potassium, vitamin C, and energy-sustaining carbs. The heavy cream, while rich in fat, adds lusciousness and calcium.

The puff pastry—flour, butter, water—provides that irresistible flaky structure that contrasts beautifully with the filling’s softness. Finally, chive oil introduces a hint of herbal freshness and vibrant finish.

When combined, this recipe offers protein-rich, balanced comfort food with vegetable nutrients, slow-cooking depth, and an indulgent yet layered eating experience.

Cooking Tips

To ensure success, consider these pointers:

Browning the lamb well: Searing lamb cubes before braising enriches flavor via Maillard reaction and seals in juices—critical for succulent meat in the pie.
Keep pastry cold: Maintain butter temperature when making and folding puff pastry—chill between folds—to ensure flakiness and proper rise when baking.
Layering thoughtfully: Let potato pavé cool completely before assembly to retain shape—this prevents soggy pastry and preserves structure for attractive layers inside.
Manage moisture: Simmer the sauce to reduce excess liquid before assembly; a too-wet filling can lead to soggy pastry. The potato layer also acts as a moisture buffer.
Chill before baking: After assembling pies, chilling again helps pastry keep its shape and minimizes spreading or leakage in the oven.
Bake until bubbling: Watch for golden pastry and bubbling filling—this signals doneness, ensuring both crust crispness and warmed interior.
Egg wash and venting: Always score pastry and apply egg wash for shine and steam release. These minor steps elevate both aesthetics and texture.
Prep ahead: You can assemble and chill pies a day ahead, then bake when needed—great for making ahead for parties or busy dinners.

Serving Suggestions

This pie shines as a centerpiece with thoughtful accompaniments:

Serve it with a light green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, which cuts richness through acidity and crunch, refreshing the palate between bites.
A side of pickled vegetables—like tangy pickled cabbage or cucumber—adds brightness and contrast to the heavy filling.
Pair with creamy mashed sweet potatoes for a sweet, soft complement, or buttered peas for added color and simplicity.
Drizzle extra chive oil on the plate for visual appeal and herbal lift.
A light soup starter—such as a chilled cucumber or tomato-based consommé—works well before serving this rich pie.
For wine pairing, consider a medium-bodied red, like a fruit-forward Rioja or a Malbec; its acidity helps cut through richness and complements lamb’s earthiness.
Offer warm crusty bread on the side to mop up any extra sauce—though the potato pavé does much of that itself.

Conclusion

This Lamb Shoulder Caldereta Pie masterfully reinvents a beloved Filipino stew into a refined, multi-layered pie that balances hearty warmth with elegant texture. Each element—from the deeply savory liver-enhanced sauce to the buttery pastry and creamy potato pavé—plays a purposeful role in crafting a memorable dish that’s indulgent yet nuanced.

It resonates with nostalgia for those familiar with caldereta while introducing new diners to these complex Filipino flavors through an approachable, celebratory format. Rich in protein, vegetables, and deeply layered flavor, this pie is perfect for special dinners, festive occasions, or cozy nights when you crave comfort elevated to culinary art.

By preparing components thoughtfully—browning meat, chilling pastry, reducing sauce—you ensure both aesthetic appeal and exceptional flavor. Served with crisp greens, pickles, or buttery peas, it transforms into a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.

In short: this pie is a delicious marriage of tradition and innovation, comfort and sophistication—an unforgettable dish to feature in your repertoire and on your table.

Pin Title
Florence Mae Maglanoc’s Lamb Shoulder Caldereta Pie – A Filipino Fusion Comfort Dish

Pin Description
Discover a luxurious take on Filipino caldereta reimagined as a pie—tender lamb shoulder in a savory liver-infused sauce, creamy potato pavé, and flaky puff pastry. Rich, comforting, and elegant, it’s the perfect festive main to warm hearts and tables.

Hashtags

#FilipinoPieFusion
#ComfortFoodElevated
#LambCalderetaPie