Pork And Sweet Potato Empanadas Recipes

PORK AND SWEET POTATO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• For the pork: Combine the spices in a medium bowl. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the spice mixture with the pork, until completely coated, and let marinate for 2 hours. (Reserve the remainder of the spices for another time.) In a large pot add the pork and enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the meat pulls apart easily. Set aside to cool. Shred with a fork.
• For the dough: In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients and shortening and mix. Add small amounts of the water at a time until the dough forms. Knead for a few minutes, and then wrap the dough in plastic and allow to rest for 1 hour. After the dough rests, on a floured table roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thick. Cut 4-inch disks and set aside in the refrigerator. Excess scraps can be rolled again for more disks, just allow the scrap ball to rest before rolling.
• For the filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded pork with the sweet potato, black beans, cilantro, cinnamon and some salt and pepper. Mix well. In another bowl, mix equal parts cold water and flour to use as a binder for the empanadas. Fill the dough disks with a generous spoon of the filling, brush the outer edges with the flour and water mix and then fold over so it looks similar to ravioli. Crimp the edges with a fork and set aside for frying.
• For the salsa and glaze: In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients for the salsa. In a separate bowl combine the ingredients for the glaze.
• Preheat 3 inches of oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven to 350 degrees F.
• In batches, fry the empanadas for 3 to 5 minutes or until they are golden brown. Brush the empanadas with the chipotle-honey glaze and serve on a bed of the salsa. Garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs and some of the glaze.

PORK AND POTATO EMPANADAS WITH CHARRED TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the filling: Coat a large wide pot with extra-virgin olive oil and set over medium-high heat. Add the pork, cumin and some salt, and cook until the pork is cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat and set aside. Return the pan to the heat, and coat with more oil if needed. Add the onions, season with salt and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Toss in the poblanos and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Return the pork to the pan and add the potatoes. Season with salt, and stir to combine. Add the cilantro and stir to combine. Add the wine and scrape the crud off the bottom of the pan. Then add the stock and bay leaf. Taste and season if needed. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid evaporates. The filling should be saucy but not soupy. Remove the bay leaf and cool the filling completely.
• For the dough: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, masa harina, baking powder and salt. Stir in the melted butter. Gradually add 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup water, and work it in with your hands to incorporate; the dough should be easy to handle and not sticky. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Lightly dust a rolling pin and a clean surface with flour. Divide the dough in half. Refrigerate half of the dough and roll out the other half of the dough to 1/8-inch thick. Using a 4-inch cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out 10 circles of dough. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Spoon 2 generous tablespoons of the filling into the center of each pastry circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Brush the edges with the egg wash and then fold the dough to enclose the filling and form a semi-circle. Tightly seal the edges by crimping with the tines of a fork. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
• For the sauce: Preheat a grill pan to high heat. Grill the tomatillos on all sides until charred, then remove and cool. When cool enough to handle, coarsely chop the tomatillos.
• Coat a large saute pan with oil and set over medium heat. Add the garlic, jalapenos and half of the cilantro, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatillos, season with salt and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the lime zest and juice and the remaining cilantro. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet.
• Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with some egg wash. Using a fork, prick a few holes in the tops of the empanadas for the steam to escape. Bake until golden brown, 30 minutes.
• Serve hot with the charred tomatillo salsa.