Sweet Strawberry Empanadas Recipes

TEXAS BLACKBERRY AND STRAWBERRY EMPANADAS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder and mix well. Add shortening and break it up by hand until it resembles cornmeal. Add chicken stock and knead until all is incorporated. Let it rest, covered, for at least 30 minutes in cooler.
• Meanwhile, make the filling. Combine blackberries, strawberries, goat cheese and sugar and mix well.
• When the dough has chilled, roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin. Cut circles out of the dough with a 4-inch round cutter. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center of each dough circle. Beat the eggs and water together in a small bowl. Brush the egg wash all around the edges of the dough. Fold the dough over the filling to make the circles into half moons. Crimp the edges with the tines of a fork to seal the dough closed.
• Heat a pan, filled half way up with peanut oil, to 350 degrees F.
• Fry the empanadas until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes, turning them over occasionally with tongs.

SWEET STRAWBERRY EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Use a pastry cutter to cut shortening into the dry ingredients quickly until mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Sprinkle with cold water and mix with a fork until dough just holds together.
• Run your hands under cold water for 20 seconds, then dry them. Gather dough with your cooled hands and form into 2 balls. Cover one and refrigerate. Flatten the second ball into a large patty.
• Flour a flat, clean work surface. Roll out dough evenly, sprinkling with flour as needed to prevent sticking, to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut dough into 4-inch circles using a cookie cutter or drinking glass. Dab a little water around the rim of the dough circles to make a good seal when folded over.
• Place a scant tablespoon of strawberry jam in the center of each circle. Fold in half to form a semi-circle. Pinch edges to seal. Transfer to an ungreased cookie sheet. Press edge down with the tines of a fork to seal further. Repeat with remaining circles, then with second ball of dough.
• Brush each empanada lightly with beaten egg. Cut 2 small slits into the top of each one. Sprinkle tops with decorator sugar.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crusts are golden brown, 13 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool further. Serve warm.