A Brief History of the Empanada from theculturetrip.com
If you love Latin American food, then you should try making empanadillas. Empanadillas are small savory pastries that are popular in Spain and Latin America. They are made with a crispy pastry shell and filled with a variety of delicious ingredients. In this article, we will teach you how to make empanadillas from scratch.
Ingredients
To make empanadillas, you will need the following ingredients: - 2 cups of flour - 1/2 cup of cold water - 1/2 cup of vegetable shortening - 1/2 teaspoon of salt - 1 egg yolk - 1 tablespoon of vinegar - 1/2 pound of ground beef - 1/4 cup of chopped onion - 1/4 cup of chopped green bell pepper - 1 garlic clove, minced - 1/2 teaspoon of cumin - 1/2 teaspoon of paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 egg white, beaten
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
Start by making the dough for the empanadillas. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cut in the vegetable shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, vinegar, and water. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
While the dough is chilling, prepare the filling. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat. Add the onion, green bell pepper, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Remove from heat and let cool.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles of dough.
Step 4: Fill the Empanadillas
Place a tablespoon of the beef filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to enclose the filling and press the edges together to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges of the empanadillas.
Step 5: Bake the Empanadillas
Place the empanadillas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with beaten egg white. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Nutrition
These empanadillas are a delicious treat, but they are also high in calories and fat. One serving of two empanadillas contains approximately 300 calories and 20 grams of fat. To make them a bit healthier, you can try using ground turkey instead of beef and whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. In conclusion, empanadillas are a great snack or appetizer to serve at your next party. They are easy to make and can be customized with your favorite fillings. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out!
