Spinach Empanadas Recipes

SPINACH EMPANADAS

Steps:

• For pastry: In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Gradually beat in flour and salt.
• The mixture will be very thick.
• Knead by hand.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 3 hours.
• For filling: In a medium skillet, cook the onion and garlic in the reserved bacon drippings for 3-4 minutes until onion is tender but not brown.
• Stir in the crumbled bacon, spinach, cottage cheese, pepper and nutmeg.
• Let filling cool.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry until it is 1/8 inch thick.
• Using a 3 inch cutter, cut out as many pastry circles as possible.
• Place 1 tsp filling on one half of each pastry circle.
• Moisten the edges of the circle with beaten egg mixed with a little water (eggwash) and fold the other half over the filling.
• Place on an ungreased baking sheet and seal the edges of the pastry with a fork.
• Brush tops with the egg and prick a small vent in each.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
• Serve warm with salsa for dipping.
• To freeze: After baking, allow to cool. Freeze on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a large freezer bag. Seal & label.
• To reheat: Reheat on a baking sheet at 450 degrees until just heated through. About 10 minutes.

SPINACH EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Steam the spinach in a steamer until wilted, but not mushy--just a minute or two in the steamer.
• Heat the olive oil in a saute pan; when it is moderately hot, quickly stir in garlic and tomatoes, stirring constantly, for a couple of minutes.
• Remove pan from heat and let cool; mix in the cooked spinach, salt and pepper to taste.
• Dough: sift the flour with the salt and baking powder; place half the flour mixture in a big mixing bowl; make a well in the center.
• Place the butter, large, eggs, and water in the well.
• Mix at low speed to form a paste.
• Continue to mix in the remaining flour mixture until all is added; you may need to add water--slowly and in small quantities--until the dough reaches the right consistency.
• The dough should be soft and pliable, like pie dough.
• Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Lightly flour a work surface; divide the dough into 4 pieces (keep the pieces you aren't using in the refrigerator until you need them).
• Use a floured rolling pin to roll out the dough about 1/8 inch thick.
• Use a large round cookie cutter or bowl (about 4 inches in diameter) to cut circles from the dough.
• Use a slotted spoon (to allow any excess liquid to drain from the filling) and put some filling in the center of the circle and fold over to make a half circle; don't overfill.
• Seal the edges of the dough with your fingers or with a fork to make a scalloped edge.
• Get a large frying pan and add enough vegetable oil to cover the empanadas completely; heat the oil to the frying stage, about 350°.
• Fry the empanadas in oil, turning occasionally until brown on all sides; drain on paper towels; serve hot.
• **You may also bake these in the oven on a lightly greased baking sheet at 350° for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.