Empanadas Fritas De Queso Recipes

CHILEAN-STYLE CHEESE EMPANADAS (FRITAS DE QUESO)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar.
• Gently mix the vegetable shortening into the flour.
• Place the milk and water in a saucepan and heat until almost boiling.
• Stir the hot liquid into the flour mixture. Add more water (1 tablespoon at a time) if the mixture seems too dry and crumbly, or add more flour if the mixture is too wet and sticky.
• Knead dough gently until well mixed and homogenous.
• Divide dough into 16 portions, and roll each piece into a ball. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
• Grate or finely chop cheese.
• Roll each ball of dough into a 6- to 7-inch circle.
• Place 1 ounce of cheese in the center of each dough circle.
• Fold the dough in half over the cheese to form a semicircle.
• Press down firmly along edges to seal.
• Roll the edge inward over itself and press down again to seal.
• Crimp edge decoratively with a fork, pressing to seal.
• In a deep-sided skillet, pot, or deep-fat fryer, heat several inches of vegetable oil to 350 F. Fry empanadas in batches, turning at least once, until golden brown.
• Drain empanadas on paper towels.
• Empanadas can be kept warm in a 200 F oven for up to 1 hour before serving. Serve warm.

EMPANADAS FRITAS DE QUESO

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Combine the lard and milk in a saucepan, and heat until the milk is hot. Pour the hot milk into the flour mixture, and stir until a dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic. Cover, and allow to rest for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Roll the dough out on a floured surface 1/4-inch thick. Cut into 4-inch rounds. Brush the outer edges of each circle with beaten egg, and fill with a small mound of cheese. Fold each circle in half to form a half-moon; press the edges with your fingers or a fork to seal. Place the empanadas onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with remaining egg.
• Bake in preheated oven until golden-brown, about 20 minutes.
• Alternatively, the empanadas may be deep fried in 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oil. If deep frying, do not brush the outsides of the empanadas with egg. Drain on paper towels.

EMPANADA DE QUESO: CHEESE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. With a pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in the chilled butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and vinegar. Slowly add the water, as needed, mixing to form the dough, until well blended. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap and knead gently until the dough becomes smooth, only a few seconds. Wrap well and chill for 30 minutes.
• Saute onion in butter and add spinach over medium heat. Cool and then combine with cheese, hazelnuts, and raisins.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll half the chilled dough to 1/8 inch thick (keep the other half refrigerated until ready to use). Cut out 3-inch circles. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the filling into the center of each circle. Brush egg wash around the edges of the dough. Fold the edges up forming a pouch, and seal.
• Refrigerate the empanadas on greased or parchment lined baking sheets at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush the empanadas with egg wash and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

EMPANADAS CON QUESO

Steps:

• Cut in 1/2 pound butter to the flour to resemble breadcrumbs.
• Add egg and vinegar. Combine.
• Knead lightly for a couple of seconds before covering in cling wrap and refrigerating for 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Saute the onion and spinach. Set aside to allow to cool, approx.20-25 minute.
• Normally I use this time now to grate the cheese and chop the hazelnuts. When the spinach is cool, mix with hazelnuts, raisins and cheese.
• Remove pastry from fridge. Using a 3 1/2 inch circle cutter, cut out circles. Place approximately 1 tablespoon in the middle of each circle, brush edges with egg wash and fold to enclose. Do not discard egg wash. Place on greased baking tray.
• Refrigerate for 30 minute.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove empanadas from fridge and brush egg wash lightly over the tops. Bake for about 25 min or until lightly golden.

CHEESIEST FRIED CHICKEN EMPANADAS WITH QUESO DIP

Steps:

• Preheat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl using a rubber spatula, combine the chicken, colby and Monterey cheese, cream cheese, red pepper, jalapeno, cumin, salt, and pepper.
• Remove 1 pie crust from pie tin onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 15-inch circle.
• Cut out rounds, using a 3-inch cookie cutter. Re-roll dough as needed.
• Repeat procedure with remaining pie crusts, making 12 to 15 circles total.
• Arrange 1 round on a clean, flat surface.
• Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the edges of crust with water.
• Place 1 heaping teaspoon of chicken mixture in the center of the round.
• Fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edges with a fork to seal.
• Repeat with the remaining rounds and chicken mixture.
• Place empanadas in deep-fryer for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown.
• Top with queso dip.
• Note: Up to this point, the recipe can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month.
• Sauce:.
• In a medium sauce pot, slowly heat cheese over medium/low heat.
• When cheese is fully melted add tomatoes, stirring with spoon until combined well.
• Pour cheese dip into a small casserole dish and serve as a dip for the cheesy empanadas or pour on top for a real cheesy effect.