Empanadas are a popular dish in many Latin American countries. They are essentially pastries filled with various types of meats, vegetables, and cheese. Empanadas are a great snack or meal that can be enjoyed any time of the day. In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know to make a delicious empanada recipe. From the ingredients to the tools needed, we've got you covered!
Ingredients Needed to Make Empanada Recipe
Before you start making empanadas, you need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of what you will need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup of cold water
- 1/3 cup of vegetable shortening
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup of pitted and chopped green olives
- 1/4 cup of raisins
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
For the Marinade Empanada Recipe
Marinating the meat is an important step in making a delicious empanada recipe. Here is a simple marinade recipe that you can use:
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the meat. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
Kitchen Tools Needed Empanada Recipe
Having the right tools is essential when making empanadas. Here is a list of what you will need:
- Large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Empanada cutter or a small bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
How to Make Empanada Recipe
Now that you have all the ingredients and tools needed, it's time to make the empanadas!
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the egg, cold water, and vegetable shortening. Mix until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Cover them with a damp cloth and let them rest for 30 minutes.
- While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Add onion, green bell pepper, garlic, cumin, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the vegetables are soft and the meat is browned.
- Add the green olives and raisins to the skillet and stir to combine. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll the dough balls out into circles, about 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter.
- Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each circle.
- Brush the edges of the circles with water and fold them in half, pressing the edges firmly to seal.
- Use an empanada cutter or a small bowl to trim the edges and make them look neat.
- Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush the empanadas with beaten egg and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
How to Cook Empanada Recipe
Empanadas can be cooked in different ways. Here are three methods you can use:
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the empanadas until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Grilling: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Brush the empanadas with olive oil and grill for 2-3 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear.
20 Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about empanadas:
- What is an empanada?
- Where do empanadas come from?
- What are the different types of empanadas?
- What is the dough used to make empanadas?
- What are some common fillings for empanadas?
- Can empanadas be made ahead of time?
- How do you store empanadas?
- Can empanadas be frozen?
- How do you reheat empanadas?
- Can empanadas be baked?
- Can empanadas be fried?
- How do you make empanada dough from scratch?
- What is an empanada cutter?
- What is the proper way to seal empanadas?
- How do you know when empanadas are cooked?
- What are some variations of empanadas?
- What are some side dishes that go well with empanadas?
- Can empanadas be sweet?
- What is the nutritional value of empanadas?
- Are empanadas gluten-free?
Answering these questions is important when making empanadas to ensure that you make the best possible dish.