Cheesy Guava Empanadas Food

GUAVA AND CREAM CHEESE EMPANADAS

Steps:

• For the empanada dough: Mix all empanada ingredients in a mixer. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
• For the filling: Put the guava paste and cream cheese in a bowl and use a potato masher to mash the two ingredients until they are incorporated.
• To form the empanadas, use half of dough (save remaining dough for another use). Knead the dough. Roll the dough out by hand or with a commercial sheeter. Cut out circles of dough 6- to 7-inches in diameter. Place a dough circle in an empanada mold if you have one, but it?s not necessary; fill empanadas with guava mixture. Wet the edges of the dough with your fingers. Close the mold to seal, or fold dough over filling and use the tines of a fork to seal the edges. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Use a pastry brush to paint empanadas with an even coat of egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar.
• Preheat convection oven to 450 degrees F, or regular oven to 400 degrees F. Place empanadas on greased baking sheets. Bake for 3 minutes in convection oven or 10 to 15 minutes in regular oven.

GUAVA EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Pulse the cream cheese, egg, sugar, lime zest and lime juice in a food processor until smooth.
• Put 1 tablespoon guava paste in the center of each empanada wrapper, then top with 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges with a fork to seal.
• Heat about 11/2 inches vegetable oil in a wide saucepan until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the empanadas until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. (Return the oil to 350 degrees F between batches.) Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

CHEESY GUAVA EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Roll 1 pastry sheet into 12-inch square on lightly floured surface; cut into 8 rounds with 3-inch cookie cutter. Repeat with remaining pastry sheet. Reserve trimmings for garnish.
• Spoon about 1 tsp. guava paste onto center of each pastry round; top with 1 Singles piece. Brush edges of pastry with egg; fold in half. Seal edges with fork. Garnish with reserved pastry trimmings as desired; brush with egg.
• Place on parchment-covered baking sheet.
• Bake 15 min. or until golden brown.

CHEESE EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Mixing by hand, combine 2 cups warm water, the shortening and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly add the flour, mixing quickly to avoid lumps. Knead until the ingredients are evenly combined. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes, then shape into small balls (about 3 ounces each).
• Using a hand tortilla press, place a piece of waxed paper on the bottom, center a dough ball on top and cover with another piece of waxed paper. Gently press down to flatten the ball into a thin circle (not too thin or it will crack). Alternatively, you can use a wooden board or large plate to press the dough.
• Remove the top paper and add 1 tablespoon of the cheese to the middle of the pressed dough. Carefully fold one edge of the circle over the cheese to the other edge, and press the edges together to close the empanada. Using a small bowl, place it over the empanada close to the edge and press down slightly to cut the edge and evenly seal it. Repeat with the remaining dough and cheese. Set the empanadas on a large platter and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, add enough vegetable oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. Gently remove the wax paper from each empanada and fry two to four at a time (depending on the pan size) until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

GUAVA EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Mix together the cream cheese and grated cheese. Stir together the guava paste and lime juice. Combine the sugar with the cinnamon. Set the three mixtures aside.
• On a lightly floured board, roll the dough out to a rectangle about 16 x 11 inches and 1/8inch thick. With the tip of a sharp paring knife, cut out six 5-inch circles, using a pot as a guide. Remove the dough scraps. Spread the cheese over half of each circle and then top with the guava, leaving a 1/2-inch border along the edge. Brush the edges with some of the beaten egg and then fold the dough over to enclose the filling. Seal the edges by pressing the top to the bottom with the tines of a fork. Chill at least 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Place the empanadas on a baking sheet and brush the tops with the egg wash. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. With a sharp knife, cut three small slits in the top of each for steam to escape. Bake 30 minutes, or until the dough is golden. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool slightly. Serve warm.