John Wheeler

Welcome, dear food lovers! Today, we’ll be taking a culinary journey to Latin America, home to some of the most flavorful cuisines in the world. One particular delight that has gained international popularity is the humble empanada. These tasty pastry turnovers filled with a variety of savory ingredients are versatile, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Today’s recipe, “Savory and Scrumptious: Homemade Beef Empanadas,” is a tribute to this delightful dish. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

For the Empanada Dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

For the Beef Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup green olives, pitted and chopped
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingers to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, cold water, and vinegar. Gradually add the wet ingredients into the flour mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Divide the dough into two, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Make the filling: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper, cooking until softened. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned. Stir in the paprika, cumin, and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cooled, stir in the chopped hard-boiled eggs and olives.
3. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Assemble the empanadas: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round cutter (or an upside-down bowl), cut out circles. Place a spoonful of the beef filling onto one half of each dough circle. Fold the other half over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Seal the edges by crimping with a fork.
5. Bake the empanadas for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Serve and enjoy your delicious homemade Beef Empanadas!

Closing:

We hope you enjoyed our “Savory and Scrumptious: Homemade Beef Empanadas” recipe! It’s a versatile dish that can be adapted to various fillings – so feel free to get creative. Whether as a delicious appetizer for your next party or as a main dish paired with a vibrant salad, these empanadas are sure to impress. Happy cooking!

Un Seattle Gourmand