What is an Empanada?
An empanada is a savory pastry that originated in Latin America, typically consisting of a flaky crust filled with various ingredients such as meat, cheese, vegetables, or seafood. The filling is then sealed within the dough and cooked until golden brown.
Recipe: Classic Beef Empanadas
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/4 cup warm water
For the filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Make the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add shortening and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add warm water, stirring with a fork until a dough forms.
- Knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling:
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, beaten egg, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Assemble the empanadas:
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll out each piece into a thin circle, about 1/8 inch thick.
- Place 2 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center of each circle.
- Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, pressing edges together to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges.
- Cook the empanadas:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch of space between each pastry.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden glaze.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Optional: Add cheese
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the empanadas during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Serve and enjoy!
Empanadas can be served warm or at room temperature, accompanied by your favorite dipping sauce or condiment. They make a great snack, appetizer, or main dish.
Text model: llama3
Image model: SDXLNijiSeven
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