Empanadas – Pastries

 

Empanadas are delicious pastries filled with a variety of ingredients, often including meat, vegetables, and spices. Here's a basic recipe for making empanadas:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
• 1/2 cup cold water

For the Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef or your choice of filling (e.g., shredded chicken, vegetables, etc.)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup pitted green olives, chopped
• • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil for cooking

  Instructions:

  For the Dough:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.

  2. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  3. 1. Slowly add the cold water to the mixture and knead until a smooth dough forms. You may need a little more or less water, so add it gradually.

     2. Divide the dough into small balls, about the size of a golf ball. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

     For the Filling:

     1. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

     2. Add the chopped onions and bell pepper and sauté until they become translucent, about 5 minutes.

     3. 1. Add the garlic and ground beef (or your choice of filling) to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through. If using vegetables, cook until they are tender.

        2. Stir in the cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

        3. Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the chopped hard-boiled eggs and green olives. Allow the filling to cool.

        Assembly:

     4. 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

        2. Take one of the dough balls and roll it out into a thin circle on a lightly floured surface. Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch.

        3. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of the dough circle.

        4. Fold the dough in half to cover the filling, forming a half-moon shape.

        5. Press the edges of the empanada with a fork to seal them. You can also twist the edges for a decorative look.

        6. Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

        7. Optional: Brush the empanadas with beaten egg for a shiny, golden finish.

        8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

        9. Let the empanadas cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

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