Costa Rican Pati Beef Turnover Recipes

GROUND BEEF TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, combine the water, egg and vinegar. Add to shortening mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing lightly with a fork until mixture forms a ball. Cover and chill for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, combine the first six filling ingredients. Divide pastry into 15 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion into a 6-1/2-in. circle. , Mound a heaping 1/3 cup filling on half of circle. Moisten edges with water; fold dough over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling. , Cut three slits in the top of each turnover; brush with cream. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until vegetables are tender and crust is golden brown.

GOURMET PASTELILLOS (MEAT PIES)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion, tomato sauce, olives, sofrito, sazon, garlic, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes.
• Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of meat mixture into the middle of a disco. Fold dough over, moisten edges, and press with a fork to seal. Repeat with remaining meat mixture and discos.
• Pour oil into a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Fry pastelillos until golden brown and bubbly, about 3 minutes each. Drain on paper towels before serving.

BEEF TENDERLOIN TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine beef, chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper; toss to coat meat with spices, Cover and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• For filling, in a large fry pan, heat oil over medium heat.
• Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil for 2 minutes.
• Add beef; cook and stir for 2 minutes more (beef may be slightly pink).
• Drain meat mixture in a colander; cool slightly.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Line a baking sheet with foil; grease the foil. Set aside.
• Unfold puff pastry sheet and place on a lightly floured surface, roll into a 12 x 12 inch square.
• Cut into sixteen 3 inch squares.
• In a small bowl, beat together the egg and the water.
• Brush edges of squares with some of the egg mixture.
• Place 1 tablespoon of the beef filling in the centre of each square.
• Sprinkle some of the cheese over the beef mixture on each square.
• Fold pastry over filling, stretching pastry slightly if necessary, to form triangles.
• Press edges together tightly to seal.
• Place triangles on prepared baking sheet.
• Brush tops with remaining egg mixture.
• Prick tops with a fork.
• Bake about 20 minutes or until golden.
• Serve warm.
• MAKE AHEAD: Prepare turnovers as directed, do not bake.
• Cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours.
• Bake as directed, or to freeze, prepare and bake triangles as directed and cool on a wire rack.
• Place turnovers in a freezer container.
• Seal, label and freeze.
• To reheat, preheat oven to 375°F, place frozen triangles on a baking sheet lined with foil, bake about 10 minutes or until heated through, Serve warm.