Adobe Empanadas Recipes

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.)

SHRIMP EMPANADAS

Steps:

• For the salsa criolla: In a pan on medium-high heat, add the butter, the cubanelle pepper, tomatoes and onion. Cook the veggies for about 5 minutes. Add the Sazón, adobo, chicken base, oregano, coriander leaves, cooking wine, garlic and 4 cups water; bring to a boil. In a separate bowl, combine the flour with 1 cup of water and stir. Add the flour mixture to the pan little by little until the desired thickness of sauce is reached.
• For the empanadas: Chop the shrimp into medium pieces. In a pan over medium-high heat, add the butter, shrimp and 4 ounces salsa criolla. Stir. Cook until the shrimp is pink and fully cooked, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool.
• To the middle of a round of dough, add about a tablespoon of the shrimp mixture, 1 to 2 teaspoons grated cheese, and add several pieces of colored julienne bell peppers. Close and fold the round dough in half like a crescent. Press the edges together to seal and remove any air pockets. Using your thumb and index finger, pinch and twist along the edge of the dough to create a braided sealed edge. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place the empanadas on a plate lined with wax paper and freeze until the next day. (This will help unify the temperature of the empanada and help seal it before frying.)
• In a fryer or deep pan, add enough vegetable oil to for the empanadas to float. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F.
• Add the empanadas to the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove the empanadas to a rack or paper towel to allow excess oil to drain. Empanadas can be served on a cutting board or plate. Cut in half and enjoy!

MUSHROOM EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Add the canola oil to a pan and heat on medium heat until hot. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are tender, then add garlic. Cook, stirring well, for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Strain the mixture and let it cool.
• Add parsley and mozzarella.
• Use a tablespoon to drop a generous portion of filling in the center of a dough disc and fold so that it looks like a half-moon. Make sure the edges are completely sealed to prevent the filling from coming out while baking. (This is very important because the cheese will otherwise run out of the empanada.)
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place empanadas on a lightly oiled sheet pan; brush with egg yolk if using, Bake until dough is nicely browned, about 15 minutes.
• Make sure to put them on a beautiful plate and enjoy with a glass of wine or a beer. Oh, and eat them with your hands, with friends and family-the way empanadas are meant to be enjoyed!
• Making the dough can be done by hand but it is easier in a mixer with a dough attachment. Mix the flour and salt in a mixer until well combined, about 1 minute.
• Add the butter and mix until blended, another 2 minutes.
• Add the egg and 1/4 to 1/2 cup water, adding gradually, and continue mixing until slightly rough to the touch.
• Make the dough into a ball and finish kneading by hand until soft and smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
• Unwrap the dough and roll out with a rolling pin until thin, but not too thin, so it doesn't break when folding.
• Create discs with a 5-inch cutter for large empanadas or a 3-inch cutter for small ones. If not using immediately, use wax or parchment paper to separate a stack and refrigerate or freeze to use later.