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There's nothing quite like taking your first bite of a delightfully warm and flavourful Empanada. Whether you're having a party or are just in the mood for a tasty, satisfying snack, these savoury (or sweet!) pastries are ideal for every occasion.
Even though you can always get freshly baked empanadas delivered by your preferred provider (like ours!), creating them yourself at home may be a satisfying and enjoyable experience.
In this blog post, we'll teach you an easy recipe to make some delicious homemade Empanadas in a matter of minutes. And don't worry - it's really not as hard as you might imagine!
Ingredients to make your Empanadas
It goes without saying that Empanadas come in lots of different shapes and sizes, and many countries have their own ideas about what a good Empanada should look and taste like.
In this recipe, we'll be preparing an Argentinian-inspired Empanada, with a filling that includes ground beef, hard-boiled eggs, and green olives, which are typical ingredients in the classic Argentinian Beef Empanada (Empanadas de Carne).
For the Dough:
3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1 stick of cold butter (cut into small cubes)
1 egg
1/2 cup of cold water
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
For the Filling (Classic Beef):
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 medium onion (finely chopped)
1/2 pound of ground beef
1 hard-boiled egg (chopped)
1/4 cup of green olives (chopped)
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Fillings:
Even with Argentinian Empanadas themselves, there is a lot of variation. Different cities and regions mix and match different ingredients, and even certain restaurants (or Empanaderias) offer their own unique twists.
A couple of optional Empanada fillings could be:
Chicken and Cheese: Shredded chicken, mozzarella, and salsa
Spinach and Feta: Sautéed spinach, crumbled feta, and garlic
Step-by-Step Instructions to make Empanadas
Ready to make your Empanadas? Follow the step-by-step instructions below:
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
Add the cubes of cold butter and, using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, cold water, and vinegar.
Gradually pour the wet mixture into the flour and butter mixture. Stir until the dough begins to come together.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for a minute or two, just until smooth.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.
2. Make the Filling
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir occasionally until the beef is browned.
Stir in cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes to allow the spices to infuse the meat.
Remove from heat and stir in the chopped hard-boiled egg and olives. Let the filling cool slightly before assembling the empanadas.
3. Roll Out the Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Take the chilled dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface until it’s about 1/8 inch thick.
Use a round cookie cutter (or the rim of a glass) to cut out circles of dough, about 4-6 inches in diameter.
4. Fill the Empanadas
Place a spoonful of your cooled filling in the center of each dough circle. Be careful not to overfill—about 1 to 2 tablespoons is perfect.
Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, pressing the edges together.
Seal the edges by pressing down with a fork or twisting them slightly to create a decorative crimp.
5. Bake or Fry
For baking: Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Beat an egg and brush it over the tops of the empanadas for a golden finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown.
For frying: Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the empanadas in batches until they are golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
Let your empanadas cool for a few minutes before digging in. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauces like chimichurri, salsa, or aioli.
Try Different Empanada Fillings
The wonderful thing about the humble Empanada is its versatility. From chicken and chorizo to ham and cheese, apple and cinnamon to dulce de leche - there's no shortage of fillings to try!
Here's a list of some of the most popular and traditional Empanada fillings:
Savoury:
Beef
Chicken
Ham & Cheese
Seafood
Spinach & Cheese
Cheese & Tomato
Sweet:
Dulce de Leche
Apple & Cinnamon
Banana
Guava
As highlighted above, each Latin American country has its own personal preferences for Empanada fillings.
Tips for Making the Perfect Empanada
Chill the Dough: This will help keep the dough from shrinking in the oven and make it easier to roll out.
Avoid Overfilling: If you add too much filling in your Empanadas, it might leak out or even explode. Limit the amount of filling to one or two tablespoons.
Seal Tightly: To prevent leaks when baking or frying, make sure the corners are correctly sealed.
Ready to Enjoy your Empanadas but Don't Want the Hassle?
If this all sounds like a bit too much, then don't worry! At Empanada Express, we provide a delicious range of tasty Empanadas that we deliver throughout the UK.
The only thing you need to do is heat them up!
Order our Empanadas now for a delicious, hassle-free empanada experience
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