The Temporary Vegetarian A Portuguese Empada Recipes

EMPADINHAS DE PALMITO

Steps:

• For the tartlet crusts: In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, oil, egg yolks and butter. Using a spoon or by hand, mix until the dough is no longer sticky. Take a nub of dough about the size of a large marble, place it in a tartlet pan, and press very thinly to cover the inside (thick enough to cover but not so thin that the pan shows through). Pinch off the dough for a clean edge; set aside. Repeat with remaining dough to make twenty tartlet crusts.
• For the filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and onions, and sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, combine flour with 1 cup of the milk and whisk until smooth and blended. Add to saucepan, and stir until beginning to thicken.
• Add remaining 1/2 cup milk, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue stirring until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add hearts of palm, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 3 more minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Divide the mixture among the crust-filled pans, and sprinkle with cheese. Place on a baking sheet and bake until tops are lightly golden, about 30 to 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Turn each pan upside down, and the tartlet should fall into your hands upside down and all in one piece. Turn right side up, and serve.

THE TEMPORARY VEGETARIAN: A PORTUGUESE EMPADA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. ln a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil until shimmering. Add onions and garlic, and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add zucchini, squash, and eggplant, and sauté until tender but have not lost their shape, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, thyme and parsley, and cook until tomatoes soften but do not lose their shape, about 5 minutes. Add red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon flour with 3 tablespoons water. Mix well, and add to the vegetables. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring. Transfer to a baking sheet to cool until no longer steaming, then place in refrigerator to chill, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Place one sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface. Using a 3 1/2- to 4-inch-in-diameter cookie cutter or cup, cut out six disks. Using a 1-1/2 inch cookie cutter, cut out six more disks. Roll all the disks out to 1/8 inch thick.
• Butter or spray a six-cup muffin pan with 3-inch diameter cups. Place a large disk in each of the holders; the dough should overlap the holder by about an inch. Add one sixth of the chilled vegetables to each cup. Place the small circle of pastry on top of the vegetables, and fold over the edges of the larger circle to fully enclose the empada. (It may be possible to pinch together the edge of the large disk of dough without using the smaller disk.) Brush the tops with beaten egg.
• Bake empadas until golden brown, 25 to 40 minutes. Using a knife, gently loosen from the muffin tins. Transfer to plates, and serve hot. If desired, serve with a salad.