Puerto Ricos Beef Empanadillas Recipes

EMPANADILLAS DE CARNE (PUERTO RICAN EMPANADAS)

Steps:

• Follow instructions to make empanadilla dough and carne molida.
• On a flat surface, fill one empanadilla disk at a time by adding two tablespoons of the carne molida to the center (or it may be easier for you to add filling more to one side of dough) of the dough.
• Fold dough over to form a half moon.Crimp edges of the dough with a fork to seal.Note: Some people like to flip empanadilla over and crimp the other side as well but I find that it is not necessary as long as you crimp one side firmly.
• Add half an inch of vegetable or canola oil to a skillet and heat over medium heat.
• Once the oil has heated some, add a few empanadillas at a time and cook until golden brown on one side.Flip empanadillas over and cook on the other side until golden brown.Drain on paper towels.
• Serve with a side of lemon wedges and hot sauce.

EMPANADILLAS (FRIED PUERTO RICAN TURNOVERS)

Steps:

• Make the pie dough (skip to step 3 if using store-bought dough.) Start by pulsing flour and butter in a food processor until pea sized pieces begin to form. Pulse in the water a few tablespoons at a time until a ball of dough forms. Chill for at least 2 hours.
• Make the Picadillo filling. Start with oil, onions, and peppers in a pan over medium heat. Once onions become translucent, add sofrito and sauté another minute before adding ground beef. Break the ground beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. Add sazon, adobo, bay leaves, tomato sauce, olives, and water. Bring it to a boil before simmering with a lid partially on, for 10 minutes or until the beef is fully cooked.
• Prep the dough. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll dough out to about ¼ inch thickness and cut out circular discs using a large cookie cutter or small bowl. Spoon picadillo over half of each disc, fold the empty dough over top and pinch together with a fork.
• Fry. Heat oil to around 350 degrees before frying empanadas on each side for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the edges. Enjoy!

PUERTO RICAN FRIED MEAT PIES: EMPANADAS

Steps:

• DOUGH: combine all the dry ingredients in electric mixer, add all the wet ingredients. Mix for about 3 minutes until well combined. Dough will form.
• Take it out and knead for about 3 minutes, let sit wrapped in plastic-wrap for another 15 minutes.
• Divide into 12 pieces, then roll into 4 inch circles.
• FILLING: Brown ground beef (drain excess grease), or sauté shredded chicken in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add all the ingredients and cook for an additional 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Let cool.
• COOKING: Preheat the oil in a frying pan at about a medium temperature. Place about 2 tablespoons of the filling in the dough and seal the edges with a fork.
• Fry for about 5 minutes on each side, then place on dish lined with paper-towels.