Cuban Manchego Cheese Turnovers Recipes

SPANISH "CUBAN" SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for direct and indirect grilling over medium heat. Heat the plancha, or a cast-iron griddle, over the direct heat.
• Spread the mayonnaise on the bottom of the rolls. Top with half the Manchego and ham. Then, top with the Spanish Spice Rubbed Pork Butt and arugula. Top with the remaining half the Manchego and ham. Spread the mustard on the top half of the rolls. Place the tops on the sandwich and brush with the Piquillo Pepper Butter.
• Place the sandwiches butter-side down on the griddle. Place the bricks on top of the sandwiches and cook until the bread is crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Watch carefully: if the bread browns too quickly, move the plancha to indirect heat and cover the grill to melt the Manchego. Flip the sandwiches over and place the bricks back on top. Continue cooking until the bottom of the sandwiches are crisp and the Manchego is melted, about 3 minutes.
• Blend the butter, piquillo peppers, garlic, thyme, paprika, salt and pepper in a food processor until smooth. Scrape the butter into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours before using. Soften the butter slightly before using.

CUBAN MANCHEGO CHEESE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Whisk flour and salt together in a bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 1/4 cup water, egg, and vinegar; mix with a fork to combine. Gradually mix in remaining water, adding just enough to bring dough together.
• Place dough on a sheet of plastic wrap and knead gently until smooth. Divide the dough in half and shape into balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
• While the dough is chilling, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add spinach; stir until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool, about 5 minutes. Stir in Manchego cheese, raisins, and hazelnuts.
• Grease 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Beat egg and water in a small bowl.
• Remove 1 ball of dough from the refrigerator. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut out circles with a 3-inch cookie cutter. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the filling into the center of each circle. Brush the edges with egg wash, fold in half to form a pouch, and seal.
• Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Place empanadas on the prepared baking sheets and chill for 30 minutes. Reserve any remaining egg wash.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Brush the empanadas with reserved egg wash and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

MANCHEGO CHEESE TRIANGLES WITH QUINCE PRESERVE

Steps:

• Cut 200g/8oz manchego cheese into triangles or squares and cut the quince paste (membrillo) into small pieces. Top each slice of cheese with a piece of quince paste and serve on a flat plate.

CUBAN CHEESE TURNOVERS (EMPANADA DE QUESO)

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.
• Cut in 1/2 lb butter with pastry blender.
• Add one egg and vinegar.
• Slowly add water, as needed, mixing to form the dough.
• Turn dough out onto plastic wrap and knead until smooth, only a few seconds. Wrap well and chill 30 minutes.
• Saute onion in 2 T butter.
• Add spinach over medium heat.
• Cool, then combine with cheese, hazelnuts, and raisins.
• On lightly floured surface, roll half the chilled dough to 1/8" thick.
• Cut out 3" circles.
• Spoon 1 T filling into the center of each circle.
• Make egg wash with beaten egg and 2 T water.
• Brush egg wash around edges.Fold up edges forming a pouch, and seal.
• Refrigerate the empanadas on greased parchment paper for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Brush the empanadas with egg wash.
• Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.