Sausage Sweet Potato Empanadas Recipes

SWEET POTATO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Dough: Cream the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl using an electric mixer at medium speed.
• When well mixed, add the flour and salt in two or three additions and continue to mix just until the dough comes together.
• Turn out the dough and knead a few times to form a cohesive ball.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it for at least three hours and up to a few days.
• Filling: Peel the yams and slice them into equal-sized chunks.
• Rinse the yams off and place them in a medium pot with about two inches of cold water.
• Bring to a boil, and then simmer until tender. 15 - 25 minutes depending on the size of the yams.
• When you can slide a knife easily into the yams, remove from heat and drain.
• Add butter, cumin, salt and a few grinds of black pepper and mash together until smooth.
• Chill filling until cool. If you make the filling right after the dough, they will both be ready at the same time, or you can cover and keep in the fridge for a few days.
• Assembly:Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Divide dough in half. Roll out one half to 1/8" thickness. This will be easier if the dough has only chilled for three hours, but if it has been overnight, it is still possible, just a little harder. Do not let the dough set out a room temperature.
• Cut out circles using a 3" biscuit cutter or a glass.
• Place your dough rounds on a cookie sheet, separating layers with waxed paper. Continue with the other dough half. The remainders can be re-rolled once to no ill effect. The dough rounds can be used right away, or kept wrapped in plastic in the fridge for up to two days.
• Place about a teaspoon of filling in a dough round and fold in half. Pinch the edges together to form the empanads. There is no need to seal the edges with anything other than your fingers, although the tines of a fork make an interesting design.
• Place each filled empanada on a cookie sheet lined with a Silpat about one inch apart.
• Make the egg wash by beating the egg with the water.
• Brush the egg wash on each pastry being sure to cover the entire empanada.
• Make a small slit in the top of each empanada with a sharp paring knife.
• At this point, I like to chill the empanadas for an additional 10 minutes to be sure that they keep their shape in the oven.
• Bake each tray at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes until they are golden. Cool on racks.

SAUSAGE & SWEET POTATO HASH

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, cook sausage over medium heat 4-6 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in sweet potato, onion, chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand until cheese is melted., Meanwhile, in another nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Break eggs, 1 at a time, into pan; immediately reduce heat to low. Cook, covered, 5-6 minutes or until whites are completely set and yolks just begin to thicken. If desired, carefully turn eggs and cook second side to preferred doneness. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper. Serve hash with eggs and, if desired, salsa.

SPICY SWEET POTATO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line one sheet pan with aluminum foil and another with parchment paper.
• Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil and prick them all over with the tines of a fork. Place the potatoes on the foil-lined sheet pan. Bake for about 1 hour, until very tender when pierced with a knife. Lower the oven to 375 degrees.
• Allow the potatoes to cool enough to handle, then peel and discard the skins, placing the potatoes in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the sour cream, butter, maple syrup, chile powder, orange zest, orange juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper and mix well. Set aside.
• Unfold one sheet of the cold puff pastry on a floured cutting board. Roll the sheet into a 12-inch square with a rolling pin. With a sharp paring knife, cut four 5-inch circles from the pastry, using a dish as a guide and discarding the scraps. Place a heaping soup spoon of filling on each circle, leaving a 1-inch border. Brush the edges of the circles with the egg wash and fold over, making half circles. Crimp the edges together with the tines of a fork. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry. Place on the parchment-lined sheet pan. Chill for 15 minutes.
• Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with the sea salt and pepper. Make 2 small slits in each empanada to allow steam to escape. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until puffed and browned. Serve hot.

SAUSAGE EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Let pie crusts stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Crumble sausage into a medium skillet.
• Add onion, garlic powder, cumin and oregano.
• Cook over medium-high heat until sausage is no longer pink.
• Drain drippings.
• Stir in olives and raisins.
• Beat the egg yolk slightly; stir into sausage mixture, mixing well.
• Carefully unfold crusts.
• Cut 6 circles using a 3" cookie cutter.
• I use the Pampered Chef Cut-N-Seal(See NOTE below).
• Place about 2 tsps of the sausage filling on the cutouts.
• Top with 6 more cutouts.
• Be sure the edges are sealed.
• Moisten fingers with water and pinch dough to seal edges.
• Slightly beat the egg white; gently brush over tops of empanadas.
• Bake in a 425* oven 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.
• NOTE: I make 6 cutouts using the Pampered Chef Cut-N-Seal.
• Add the filling.
• Make the toppers one at a time.
• As you cut one place it over the top of your filled one and push down on the Cut-N-Seal.
• Check the edges for sealing.

SPICY SAUSAGE EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet.
• When the oil is heated, add the onions and saute until they are softened.
• Add the sausage meat and pepper flakes and cook making sure to break the sausage into pieces while stirring so that it isn't one big clump of meat.
• Once the sausage is cooked, taste and season with extra salt if necessary.
• Add the cream, and stir to combine.
• Remove the cooked sausage from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
• Stir the cheese into the cooled down sausage filling. Set aside until ready to make empanadas.
• Make the empanada dough as written here, and chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
• Roll out the chilled empanada dough until it's about 2 - 3 mm thick.
• Cut 3.5 inch circles from the rolled out dough.
• Fill the middle of each circle with a little sausage filling.
• Dab the edges of the empanada dough circle with water and fold over the pastry to seal in the filling.
• Press down the edges to seal, and use a fork to crimp the edges.
• Place the empanadas in one layer, on a baking tray.
• Keep it covered with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to fry, IF you will be frying these within 24 hours.
• Heat remaining oil to deep fry the empanadas to 350°F / 180°C.
• Fry the empanadas in the hot oil, 2 minutes per side, until the pastry turns a golden brown.
• Drain excess oil by placing the fried empanadas on paper towels or newspaper.
• Heat remaining oil to deep fry the empanadas to 350°F / 180°C.
• Fry the frozen empanadas for about 4 minutes per side, until the pastry turns golden brown (maybe slightly darker).
• Drain excess oil by placing the fried empanadas on paper towels or newspaper.
• Enjoy while hot with dipping sauce!

CHORIZO AND POTATO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Prepare empanada dough according to your chose recipe. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Place the sausages in a skillet, and cover them halfway with water. Cook the sausages until the water has evaporated then continue to cook until all sides are browned and the sausages are cooked through.
• Use a spatula to crumble the sausages, and brown them in the skillet for a few minutes longer. Remove sausages from the heat, and set aside to cool.
• Place the onions, cumin, and chopped peppers in the same skillet, adding a bit of vegetable oil if needed. Sauté the vegetables until softened and fragrant.
• Add the potatoes and 1/2 cup of the chicken broth to the skillet with the vegetables, and cook until the liquid has evaporated. Add more liquid in small amounts if necessary, and continue to cook just until the potatoes are just tender.
• Stir the sausage into the potato mixture, and let the filling cool. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 375 F.
• Divide the empanada dough into about 12 pieces (for medium-large empanadas), and roll each piece into a circle.
• Fill each circle of dough with a couple of tablespoons of filling. Wet the edges of the dough lightly with water and fold the circle of dough in half, sealing the filling inside. Press the edges firmly to seal.
• Fold the edges over in a decorative braid .
• Brush the empanadas lightly with the egg yolk, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake empanadas for 25 to 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
• Serve empanadas warm or at room temperature.

POTATO AND CHORIZO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water; add the salt and bring to a boil, uncovered. Simmer until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place a large skillet over medium flame. Add the chorizo, and cook, stirring for 5 minutes, until the sausage renders its fat and gets crispy. Add the onion and garlic; season with the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir for 5 minutes, until the mixture is soft and has a beautiful red color. Pour in the broth and simmer for 3 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes and fold them into the pan, using a wooden spoon, break up the potatoes into nickel-size pieces. Add the olives and raisins and toss everything together; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Allow the filling to cool before filling the empanadas. Serve with cilantro cream.
• 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 of water, working 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 chill for 30 minutes.
• Lightly flour your rolling pin and counter. Divide the dough in 1/2 so it will be easier to work with and roll it out to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 4-inch cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out 10 circles of dough; repeat with the other 1/2.
• Spoon 2 generous tablespoons of 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 over in 1/2 to enclose the filling and form a semi-circle. Tightly seal the edges by crimping with the tines of a fork. Chill at least 30 minutes before baking.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the empanadas on a buttered baking sheet and brush the tops with additional egg wash. Using a fork, prick a few holes in the top of the empanadas for steam to escape. Bake for 30 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.
• Cilantro Cream
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 lime, juiced Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cilantro, and lime juice together. Mix thoroughly; season with salt and pepper. Serve with empanadas.
• Yield: 1 cup

SAUSAGE SWEET POTATO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place apples and sweet potato on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with salt, pepper and cinnamon. Toss to coat. Roast until tender, about 20 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink, 4-6 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Add apple mixture and goat cheese; stir to combine., On a lightly floured surface, roll crust to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. round biscuit cutter. Place circles 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Place 1 heaping teaspoon filling on 1 side of each circle. Beat egg and water. Brush edges of pastry with egg wash; fold circles in half. With a fork, press edges to seal. Brush with egg wash. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes per batch. Freeze option: Bake and cool empanadas. Freeze cooled empanadas in freezer containers. To use, reheat empanadas on a baking sheet in a preheated 400° oven until heated through, 12-15 minutes.

POTATO, PEPPER, AND CHORIZO EMPAñADAS

Steps:

• Make filling:
• Cook chorizo in oil in a 2 1/2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, 2 minutes, then transfer to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon. Add onions to saucepan and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and very soft, about 15 minutes. Add garlic, bell peppers, bay leaf, salt, and oregano and cook, stirring frequently, until peppers are very soft, about 15 minutes. Peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch pieces, then stir into onion mixture and cook over moderately low heat, covered, stirring frequently, until potatoes are just barely tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add potato mixture to chorizo and stir to combine. Cool filling to room temperature and discard bay leaf.
• Form and bake empanadas:
• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces and form each into a disk. Keeping remaining pieces covered, roll out 1 piece on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 5-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick).
• Spoon about 2 tablespoons filling onto center and fold dough in half, enclosing filling. Press edges together to seal, then crimp decoratively with your fingers or tines of a fork. Transfer empanada to a baking sheet. Make 11 more empanadas in same manner, arranging on 2 baking sheets.
• Lightly brush empanadas with some of egg wash and bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer empanadas to a rack to cool at least 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.