These savoury empanadas filled with seasoned meat or vegetables make for the perfect handheld snack.
YIELDS
4
TO
6
Ingredients
Dough
3 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 egg
1 teaspoon of salt
4-6 tablespoons of cold water
Beef Filling
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 pound of ground beef
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup of beef broth
1/4 cup of chopped green olives (optional)
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)
Veggie Filling
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/2 cup of diced bell peppers
1/2 cup of corn kernels
1/2 cup of canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
Dough
In a food processor, combine the flour and salt. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the egg and pulse to combine.
Gradually add water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough starts to come together.
Turn onto a floured surface and knead briefly to form a smooth dough.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Beef Filling
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned.
Stir in the paprika, cumin, chilli powder, salt, and pepper.
Add the beef broth and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Remove from heat and stir in the olives and hard-boiled eggs if using. Allow to cool.
Veggie Filling
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bell peppers and sauté until soft.
Add the corn and black beans, and cook for a few more minutes.
Stir in the cumin, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
Remove from heat and stir in the fresh cilantro. Allow to cool.
Assemble, Cook and Serve
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Roll out the empanada dough to about 1/8 inch thickness and cut out round disc shapes.
Place a spoonful of either beef or vegetable filling onto the middle of each dough round.
Moisten the edges of the dough with water, fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, and press the edges to seal. Crimp with a fork for a decorative touch.
Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!