Filipino Empanada Recipes

FILIPINO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• In a large non stick pan, over a medium heat, heat oil and sautee onions and garlic until soft.
• Add pork mince and cook for a few minutes until it starts to brown.
• Stir in carrot and potato and continue cooking for a few more minutes.
• Add peas, sultanas, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, white pepper and water. Stir well.
• Continue to cook the mixture over a low heat, stirring so the mixture does not burn, until liquid has evaporated.
• Cover and place empanada filling to the side to cool while making the pastry. If it is a hot day, I suggest you put the filling in the fridge once it has cooled slightly.
• Place flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl, whisk together.
• Add lard to the flour mixture. With the tips of your fingers rub (see notes) the lard into the flour mixture.
• Whisk water, egg and vinegar together and add to flour mixture.
• Mix until combined and then turn out on to a lightly floured bench.
• Knead until mixture forms a smooth dough. Adding a little more flour if too sticky to handle.
• Shape into a flatish ball and wrap in plastic. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes to rest.
• Divide dough into 18 round balls, and cover with some plastic wrap to avoid them drying out while assembling.
• On a floured bench, roll out a dough ball with a rolling pin, until around ½ centimetre thick.
• Place 2 tablespoons of empanada filling in the centre of the rolled out dough.
• Fold the dough in half over the filling, then seal the empanada but pleating* the edges and crimping as you go.
• You can see how I do it on Instagram here.
• Continue with the remainder of the dough and filling. Keeping the empanadas covered as you go so they don't dry out.
• Place enough vegetable oil in a wok, which would be high enough to cover the empanadas. Heat oil until it reaches 180°C (350°F). Cook a few empanada at a time (don't crowd the wok) until they are golden brown.
• Once golden remove from the wok and drain on kitchen paper towel.Serve immediately.

CHICKEN EMPANADA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions and add the potatoes then cook with cover until potatoes are half cooked.
• Add the shredded chicken, carrots, red bell pepper and stir several times. Add the water and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer while stirring occasionally until almost all liquids are gone. Lastly, add the green peas and raisins and cook for another few minutes until all liquids are gone. Transfer the cooked filling in a colander to remove any excess liquid. Set aside to let cool before using.
• In a mixing bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter using the mixer by pulsing until mixture resembles coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces of butter remaining. Add water, a tablespoon at a time, pulsing until dough is no longer too crumbly and holds together when squeezed. Squeeze the dough together to form a ball. Cut the dough into 4 equal parts.
• Take a piece of the dough and roll it out to flatten to not more than half-centimeter thick. Cut out disks using a large cookie cutter or any round object with the desired size ( I use a small glass bowl). Do the same with the remaining dough. Gather all excess dough cuttings and press together and repeat the process until all dough is used.
• Place a dough disk on your palm and spoon enough empanada filling in the center. Fold in half towards the edges and pinch the sides to close. Use a fork to press and seal the sides tight.
• Place empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. Brush each empanada with the egg wash to make them shiny and brown after baking. Poke (3-5) small holes on each empanadas using a toothpick or fork to let the steam out and prevent them from bursting open while baking.
• Bake at 360°F/180°C for 18-20 minutes. Empanadas are done when they appear light brown and shiny.