Coconut Empanadas Food

COCONUT EMPANADAS

Steps:

• 1. For the dough, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the shortening until the pieces are the size of small peas. Beat together the milk and egg. Add to the flour mixture, stirring till combined. Form the dough into a ball. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
• 2. In a saucepan, combine sugar and 1/4 cup water. Cook and stir until the mixture is bubbly and the sugar is dissolved.
• 3. Reduce heat and add the butter and sweetened condensed milk, stirring until the butter is melted. Stir in the coconunt, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Cool.
• 4. Divide the dough into 8 portions.
• 5. On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough portion into a 6 inch circle. Place 3 tablespoons coconut mixture on each dough circle, slightly off center.
• 6. Moisten the edges with water, Fold in half and seal with a fork.
• 7. Place on a baking sheet. Brush with more milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in a 400° oven for 15 minutes or until golden.

BAKED SHRIMP EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Peel and devein shrimp and place them into a colander to drain.
• Note: I used frozen shrimp that is already peeled and deveined. All I had to do was remove the tail. Set up a cooking tray or baking sheet and with paper towels. Transfer the shrimp onto tray with paper towels. Cover with another row of paper towels and press down. Place shrimp in refrigerator.
• In the meantime, remove the empanada pastry discs from freezer and cut packages open. Allow to defrost for 10-15 minutes before you start separating them. Each disc is separated by a piece of plastic. All you have to do is pry them gently apart and the warmth from your hands is enough to make them pliable to work with.
• Chop and combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Pull shrimp out of refrigerator and discard paper towels. Chop shrimp into small pieces and add to the bowl with the onion and herbs. Mix well and set aside.
• Line three baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray parchment with cooking spray.
• Separate the discs and place a heaping tablespoon of the shrimp mixture into the center of a disc. Wet you fingers with water and dampen the inside edge of the pastry disc. Fold the disc in half so the ends meet and crimp the edges with a fork. Place the empanadas on the baking sheets. They can be right next to each other. You should be able to fit 12-14 on each baking sheet. You can use the space in the center of the baking sheet to fit in a couple more.
• Brush the egg wash on each empanada.
• Bake at 400° for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Directions for sauce.
• Add ingredients to small bowl and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to use.

PINEAPPLE COCONUT EMPANADAS

Steps:

• To make dough: Sift flour & salt into a large bowl: Add shortening and mix with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes (the mixture should look like a coarse meal).
• Add sour cream and stir: Add i/2 of water at a time, stirring until the dough forms a ball.
• Divide dough into 24 small balls and place on plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 15 minutes.
• Heat oven to 425°F and spray 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray; set aside.
• To make filling: Combine WELL DRAINED pineapple, sugar or Splenda, coconut, and vanilla in bowl; set aside.
• Using the 3 T flour as needed, roll each dough ball into a 6-inch circle.
• Place 2 T filling in the center of each dough round:Roll& pinch edges of dough together to seal: place on baking sheet.
• Pierce empanadas with a fork and brush tops with sweetened condensed milk.
• Bake for 18 minutes or until golden.
• Cool& serve.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT EMPANADAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine butter and cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar, Ghirardelli® Unsweetened Cocoa, cinnamon, salt, and, if desired, ground ancho chile pepper. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with a spatula or wooden spoon. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill about 2 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
• For filling, in a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips and the 1/4 cup coconut.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough at a time until about 1/8-inch thick.** Using a 3-inch fluted or plain round cookie cutter, cut out dough. Place circles on the prepared baking sheets. Place a heaping teaspoon of the filling in center of each circle. Lightly brush edges of the circles with water. Fold each circle in half; gently press edges to seal. Save dough scraps and re-roll, chilling dough, if needed.
• Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until edges are firm. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.
• In a small microwave safe bowl, combine the 1/2 cup Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips and the shortening. Microwave on medium power (50 percent) for 1 minute. Remove and stir. If chocolate is not melted, return to microwave and repeat heating step, stirring every 30 seconds to avoid scorching. Spoon chocolate mixture into a large self-sealing plastic bag. Snip off corner; drizzle chocolate over empanadas. If desired, sprinkle with toasted coconut. Let stand until chocolate sets. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze undecorated empanadas for up to three months. To serve, thaw; drizzle with chocolate and let stand until firm.