Empanadas De Fruta Recipes

EMPANADAS DE FRUTA

Steps:

• Mix flour, salt and sugar; add shortening and mix well.
• Add beaten egg to water and then to dry mixture.
• Dough should be soft but not sticky.
• Make small balls of dough.
• Roll out to 5 inches diameter and 1/8" thick.
• Place a heaping teaspoon of filling on half of rolled out dough turning other half of dough over and pressing edges together.
• Pinch edges between thumb and fore finger giving the dough a half-turn.
• Fry in deep fat until golden brown.
• Drain.
• To make fruit filling, add enough water to cover the dried fruit and raisins.
• Cook over low heat until tender.
• Add sugar, spices, and nuts.
• Mix until well blended. ( A 21 oz. can of fruit pie filling can be
• substituted for the fruit filling.)

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.

FRIED EMPANADAS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Cut in shortening using a pastry blender, or pinching into small pieces using your fingers, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use a fork to stir in water a few tablespoons at a time, until the mixture forms a ball. Pat into a ball, and flatten slightly. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender. Crumble in the beef, and season with salt, paprika, cumin and black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until beef is browned. Drain excess grease, and stir in the raisins and vinegar. Refrigerate until chilled, then stir in the hard-cooked eggs.
• Form the dough into 2 inch balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball out into a thin circle. Spoon some of the meat mixture onto the center, then fold into half-moon shapes. Seal edges by pressing with your fingers.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). Place one or two pies into the fryer at a time. Cook for about 5 minutes, turning once to brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels, and serve hot.