Empanaditas Dulces Fruit Jam Turnovers Food

[RECIPE + VIDEO] EMPANADITAS / PASTELITOS (SAVORY TURNOVERS)

Steps:

• Combine egg yolks, oil, salt, and baking powder. Once well combined, add the flour and mix.By this point, the dough will be crumbly and too dry. Start adding water by the tablespoon and working until it forms a cohesive ball with the least water possible. I used 7 tablespoons in the end, but it varies sometimes.
• Mix everything with your hands on a lightly floured surface until everything is well mixed, but just squeezing without folding (like playdoh). Add some flour to the dough if it is too sticky, or a bit of water if it is too dryOnce the dough has the consistency of playdoh (One to two minutes at most) wrap, and let the dough rest for ten minutes.
• Separate a small, golf-ball-sized piece of dough. On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough forming a small circle.
• Cut out circles of about 2.5" [6.5 cm] in diameter. Paint the inside with egg white (which acts as glue so the layers don't separate).Place a tablespoon of the filling in the center of each circle, cover with another circle and seal the border by pressing it with a fork.
• Cut out circles 4" [10 cm] in diameter. Paint the inside with egg white (which acts as glue so the layers don't separate).Place a tablespoon of the filling in the center of each circle, double over in a semi-circle, and seal the border by pressing it with a fork.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a 1 qt [1lt] pot. Deep fry the pastelitos / empanaditas until they are golden brown on each side. Rest on a paper towel to drain excess oil before serving.

EMPANADAS

Steps:

• For the empanada dough: Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the lard with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then whisk in the stock. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and knead until a dough forms. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the empanada filling: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and garlic salt and cook until the beef is cooked completely. Drain the grease and set the beef aside.
• In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, cumin, chili powder, oregano, seasoned salt, garlic, bell peppers and onions. Cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the beef and let them love each other with fire over low heat for about 5 more minutes. The mixture should be moist but not dripping wet. Now you are ready to fill the empanadas.
• Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out 4-, 5- or 6-inch rounds, depending on how large you prefer. Add some meat filling to each empanada and fold the dough over in half to enclose the filling. Use a fork to press and seal the edges closed. You can refrigerate the uncooked empanadas for up to 3 hours.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry the empanadas until golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
• For the aioli dip: Mix together the mayonnaise, adobo sauce and lime juice. (The flavor will enhance if it sits in the refrigerator.)

JAM TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Unravel the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry into six squares. Spoon the jam in the centre of each pastry square. Seal the edges by pressing down with a fork and brush with the egg. Lay on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20 mins. Dust with the icing sugar and serve with the clotted cream.

SWEET EMPANADAS DOUGH RECIPE

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, kosher salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl,
• Add the butter. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, work in the butter until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbles.
• Add 1 egg, sugar, vanilla extract and 4 tablespoons of water.
• With your clean hands knead the mixture a few times in the bowl just until you can gather the dough together.
• Transfer the dough to a clean surface and continue to knead the dough adding two tablespoons of water at a time (about 8 to 10 tablespoons total). Note: The dough is ready when it no longer sticks to the counter and it does not look dry.
• Continue to knead about 3 to 5 minutes; then form dough into a disk, wrap with plastic, and chill for at least 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

EMPANADITAS DULCES (FRUIT JAM TURNOVERS) RECIPE

Steps:

• Making the dough: In a large bowl whisk together dry ingredients (flour, salt, and baking soda ) until well-combined. Place the flour mixture in the food processor. Add the butter to the mixture, and pulse until it has small clumps of butter the size of lentils. Return to the bowl.Pour in one of the yolks and cold water. Mix with a spatula until everything has been made into a ball. Knead lightly by hand for about 15 seconds. Make into a ball, and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for 20 minutes. In the meantime, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone liner.
• Making the empanaditas: Once the dough is chilled, whisk the remaining yolk and milk to make an egg wash. Set it aside.Divide the dough into 6 equally-sized balls. Using a rolling pin spread one ball at a time to obtain a thin layer. Cut circles with a round 5-inch cookie cutter [12 centimeters], or something of similar size.
• Stuffing the empanaditas: Spoon a dollop of filling in the center of each round. Dab a tiny bit of water on the inside edges of dough with a damp fingertip, then fold. Press edges with the tines of a fork, or empanada press. Repeat with the remaining dough. If your kitchen is very warm, work fast so the butter in the dough doesn't melt completely.
• Baking: Place empanaditas on the prepared cookie sheet, and paint them with the yolk wash. Return to the fridge for 20 minutes. In the meantime, heat the oven to 300ºF [150 ºC].Once the oven is at temperature, bake the empanaditas for 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.Remove them from the oven and place them on a wire tray to cool.
• Serving: Once cooled to room temperature, powder them with fine sugar and serve at room temperature.

BASIC EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Make the filling: In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, cook meat until no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add onion and jalapenos; cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder and tomatoes. Cook over medium until mixture has thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in cilantro. Let cool.
• Make the dough: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Using your fingers, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add just enough cold water so dough comes together.
• Form empanadas. If desired, freeze on a baking sheet until firm, 2 hours. Wrap tightly in plastic; freeze in plastic bags.
• To bake fresh or frozen empanadas, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush tops with egg wash, avoiding crimped edges. Bake until golden brown, rotating sheets halfway through, 30 to 40 minutes.