Food : Empanadas- How to prepare this delicious Latin American pastry type

 

Empanadas are delicious stuffed pastries popular in many Latin American countries. Here's a basic recipe for making empanadas:

Ingredients:

For the dough:

- 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

- 1/2 teaspoon of salt

- 1/2 cup of cold butter, cut into small pieces

- 1 egg

- 1/2 cup of cold water

For the filling:

- 1 pound of ground beef (or your choice of filling like chicken, cheese, or vegetables)

- 1 small onion, finely chopped

- 2 cloves of garlic, minced

- 1/2 cup of bell pepper, chopped

- 1/2 cup of green olives, pitted and sliced

- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the dough:

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

   b. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

   c. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and cold water together.

   d. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour and butter mixture, stirring until the dough comes together.

   e. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the filling:

   a. In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Remove any excess fat.

   b. Add the chopped onion, garlic, bell pepper, and cumin. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.

   c. Stir in the green olives and season with salt and pepper. Let the filling cool.

3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter or a small plate to cut circles from the dough.

5. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each dough circle.

6. Fold the dough over to enclose the filling and seal the edges by pressing them together with a fork. You can also twist and fold the edges for a decorative look.

7. Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet.

8. Beat an egg and brush it over the tops of the empanadas for a golden finish.

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

10. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade empanadas!

You can customize the filling with your favorite ingredients, and empanadas can be baked or fried depending on your preference.