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Saturday, June 18, 2022

Beef Empanada's


I don't buy a lot of kitchen 'gadgets' but this one was well worth the 5 or 6 dollars I spent on it a couple of years ago.  

I make a lot of empanadas, pizza pockets, sweet and savory hand pies and breakfast pockets.  I used to cut the dough with a bowl and assemble.  Not that it was that difficult, but this makes it a lot faster.  You lay it out flat to cut your circles then put the dough on the top fill and crimp.  They all come out perfect.

There are many ways to make beef empanadas, but this is the recipe that an old friend gave me years ago and it is one of my favorites. 

Empanada Dough

2 3/4 Cup AP Flour
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 eggs
1/2 Cup ice water
1 Tablespoon distilled white vinegar

Sift flour with salt in a large bowl and blend in butter with your fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal with some butter lumps.

Beat together egg, water and vinegar in a small bowl with a fork.  Add to flour mixture stirring with for until just incorporated.

Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured surface and gather together, then knead gently with heel of your hand once or twice, just enough to bring dough together.  Form dough into a flat rectangle and chill, wrapped in plastic wrap at least for an hour.

Empanada Filling

1 pound ground beef
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
3 peeled, diced boiled potatoes
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
pinch of salt
pinch of ground black pepper
1 1/2 Tablespoons chopped pimento stuffed olives

Cook ground beef and onions and then add the remaining ingredients.

Fill empanada dough with about 4 tablespoons of mixture and crimp together making sure they are closed.. Brush with egg wash and use a toothpick to poke four or five holes for steam to escape.
Bake at 425 for 15-18 minutes.

Some people fry them, which is delicious but I prefer to bake them.

16 comments:

  1. That's a handy tool. I think empanadas would be a nice make ahead option that could be warmed up in the air fryer. I need to buy a new can opener so that will be my new to me gadget for now

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    1. Yes, they freeze and heat up in the air fryer very well. I always make sure to have some in the freezer for quick dinners or lunches.

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  2. That is a cool looking gadget! I love this recipe! I think I mentioned before but we substitute ground turkey for any recipe with ground beef. Think ground turkey would work good in this recipe? Thanks for sharing it Lori and have a great Saturday!

    betty

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    1. Ground turkey would definitely work Betty. I hope you have a great Saturday also!!

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  3. Cute little gadget!

    Can see how it would be wonderfully useful. Even if I've never made anything like that.

    ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨

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    1. I'm using it today to make cherry hand pies. I found local sweet cherries at the farmers market yesterday and they are delicious.

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  4. WOw how neat. I have never done this.

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    1. It's good with so many different sweet or savory items. Scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage and cheese...one of my other favorites.

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  5. I didn't know there was a gadget for this, and that recipe sounds delicious.

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    1. Yes and you can use it for so many more things. I'm making cherry hand pies with it today. The beef empanada recipe is delicious. It is from my friend Edna that introduced me to empanadas and I've loved them ever since.

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  6. I gave Someone one of these in his stocking last year; he has yet to use it.

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    1. Tell him he needs to make you something with it.

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  7. Oh my word Lori, this sounds like such a delicious recipe! I have never made an empanada. I'm copying this recipe and I hope I can find a gadget like yours! I would totally bake them too! xoxo

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    1. You can make so many different sweet or savory things with it. I bought it off of Amazon. The brand is Nordic Ware. I could see you making a lot with it. I was introduced to empanada's in my early twenties and I LOVE them.

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  8. hmmmm...I have seen this particular gadget...maybe if I get one...I'll get on with making some pies......yes....that could be the answer!

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    1. It is handy for various things sweet and savory.

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