Picnic Empanadas Recipes

EMPANADAS

Steps:

• For the empanada dough: Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the lard with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then whisk in the stock. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and knead until a dough forms. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the empanada filling: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and garlic salt and cook until the beef is cooked completely. Drain the grease and set the beef aside.
• In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, cumin, chili powder, oregano, seasoned salt, garlic, bell peppers and onions. Cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the beef and let them love each other with fire over low heat for about 5 more minutes. The mixture should be moist but not dripping wet. Now you are ready to fill the empanadas.
• Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out 4-, 5- or 6-inch rounds, depending on how large you prefer. Add some meat filling to each empanada and fold the dough over in half to enclose the filling. Use a fork to press and seal the edges closed. You can refrigerate the uncooked empanadas for up to 3 hours.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry the empanadas until golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
• For the aioli dip: Mix together the mayonnaise, adobo sauce and lime juice. (The flavor will enhance if it sits in the refrigerator.)

PICNIC EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F
• Melt the butter in a frying pan, then add the onion and cook over a low heat for about 10 minutes until golden and very soft.
• Add the sweet potato and paprika then cook, stirring, over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Season and stir in the parsley. Leave to cool for about 5-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roll out the pastry to 1/4 in thickness, then cut out about 18 rounds, using a 3-4in cutter or upturned cup.
• Spoon a little of the filling onto one side of each round and brush the edges with beaten egg. Fold over to form a crescent shape and pinch the edges together firmly.
• Place on a non-stick baking sheet, brush with egg and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until well risen and golden. Allow to cool on a wire rack or wrap in baking parchment and a layer of foil to keep warm for the picnic.