The Book of Latin American Cooking/Elisabeth Lambert Ortiz 1994

Turnovers (Empanadas)

Servings Preparation Time Cooking Time Calories % from Fat Fat Sodium Carbohydrates Protein Cholesterol
16 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A


INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE PASTRY: 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups lard, or 3/4 cup each lard and butter FOR THE FILLING: 2 medium onions, finely chopped 2 cups finely diced raw potatoes
1 pound finely chopped lean round steak salt, freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons beef stock
1 egg, beaten with 1/2 teaspoon water ANOTHER FILLING: 2 tablespoons butter 1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 pound lean ground beef 1 large tomato, peeled and chopped
1 large pear, peeled, cored, and chopped 2 large peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped salt, freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup dry white wine



1 FOR THE PASTRY: Sift the flour, baking, and salt into a large bowl. Cut the fat into small pieces and rub into the flour with the fingertips to form a coarse meal. Mix to a fairly stiff dough with cold water, gather into a ball or mix in a food processor, and refrigerate, covered with wax paper, for 1 hour. ROll out on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 6-inch circles using a small plate or bowl as a guide.
2 FOR THE FILLING: Mix all the ingredients, except the egg, together. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture across the center of each circle of pastry, leaving 1/4 inch at the edges. Moisten the edges of the pastry with the egg and fold the pastry over to make a turnover, pressing the edges firmly together. Curve the turnover slightly to form a crescent shape, then turn about 1/4 inch of the pastry back over itself, pinching it between the thumb and forefinger to form a rope-like pattern round the edge. Prick the tops of the turnovers 2 or 3 times with the times to bake and may be frozen until ready to use. Let them thaw for 3 hours at room temperature before cooking.
3 TO BAKE: Bake the turnovers on an ungreased cookie sheet for 10 minutes in a preheated hot (400 F) oven. Reduce the heat to 350 F. and bake for 30 minutes longer, or until golden brown.
4 ANOTHER FILLING: Heat the butter in a skillet and saute the onion and pepper over moderate heat until softened. Add the meat, breaking it up with a fork, and saute for a few minutes longer. Add all the remaining ingredients and cook for 5 minutes over low heat. Cool and stuff the turnovers with the mixture in the same way as for the other filling. If using both fillings, double the amount of pastry.

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