Empanadas are a traditional Spanish dish that consist of turnovers filled with meat, fish, or vegetables. They are a popular snack or appetizer that can be enjoyed at any time of the day, and it’s a great way to use up leftover ingredients. Empanadas are popular in many Latin American countries too, each country have their own version, depending on the filling or the dough.
To make empanadas, you will need the following ingredients for the dough:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of cold butter, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup of cold water
For the filling you could use ground meat, fish, or vegetables as you prefer, here is an example of meat filling
- 1 pound of ground beef or pork
- 1 onion, diced
- 1/2 red pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup of tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 egg, beaten for glaze
To prepare the dough, combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the water, stirring until the dough comes together. Knead the dough briefly on a floured surface until it becomes smooth. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
While the dough is resting, prepare the filling by sautéing the onion and pepper in a pan over medium heat until they are soft. Add the ground meat and cook it until browned. Stir in the tomato sauce and paprika, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Allow the filling to cool.
Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out circles using a glass or cookie cutter. Place a spoonful of the filling on one half of each circle, then fold the dough over to form a semicircle. Press the edges of the dough together to seal the empanada. Brush the top of each empanada with the beaten egg for glaze.
Bake the empanadas for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.
In conclusion, Empanadas are a delicious Spanish dish that is perfect for any occasion. They are a great way to use up leftover ingredients and they’re a delicious way to enjoy a variety of different flavors. Empanadas are perfect for entertaining, enjoying them as a snack or as an appetizer. They are also a great option for picnics or parties. They are versatile, you could make them in different sizes and fill them with different ingredients, it will keep your taste buds guessing.