Tofu Empanadas Recipes

VEGETARIAN EMPANADAS THREE WAYS

Steps:

• Choose the filling for your empanadas. Each recipe for filling above will make one batch of 10-12 empanadas.
• Make the filling using the instructions designated below for your choice.
• Heat oil in a skillet. When hot add onions and garlic and saute until tender. Add spinach and cook until spinach is wilted. Add the artichokes and nutmeg and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in parmesan cheese and allow the mixture to cool slightly before assembling empanadas
• Heat oil in a skillet. When hot add onions and garlic and saute 2-3 minutes. Add jalapeno peppers and cook until all the veggies are soft. Add the tomato paste and beans and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.
• In a small bowl, mix together the corn, cheese and diced green onions.
• Preheat the oven to 400° F.
• Lay the disks out on a lightly floured work surface.
• Place a heaping tablespoon of the filling into the center of the dough circle.
• Dampen the edges of the circle with water and fold in half to create a half moon shape.
• Use a fork to press the edges closed.
• Place each empanada onto a baking sheet with about 1 ½ inch of space in between.
• Repeat with the remaining empanada dough and filling to make all 10 empanadas.
• Brush the tops of the empanadas with plant-based milk. Place into the oven and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry puffs up and golden brown.

EMPANADAS

Steps:

• For the empanada dough: Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the lard with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg and then whisk in the stock. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and knead until a dough forms. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for the empanada filling: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and garlic salt and cook until the beef is cooked completely. Drain the grease and set the beef aside.
• In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, cumin, chili powder, oregano, seasoned salt, garlic, bell peppers and onions. Cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the beef and let them love each other with fire over low heat for about 5 more minutes. The mixture should be moist but not dripping wet. Now you are ready to fill the empanadas.
• Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out 4-, 5- or 6-inch rounds, depending on how large you prefer. Add some meat filling to each empanada and fold the dough over in half to enclose the filling. Use a fork to press and seal the edges closed. You can refrigerate the uncooked empanadas for up to 3 hours.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry the empanadas until golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
• For the aioli dip: Mix together the mayonnaise, adobo sauce and lime juice. (The flavor will enhance if it sits in the refrigerator.)

TUNA EMPANADA

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes, pepper, onion, and garlic; sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté until vegetables are soft, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Add tuna and sliced eggs; toss gently to distribute evenly. Season filling with salt and pepper; set aside to cool completely.
• Spray rimless baking sheet with nonstick spray. Roll out 1 pastry sheet on floured surface to 12x16-inch rectangle. Transfer to baking sheet. Arrange ham over pastry, leaving 1-inch border. Spread filling atop ham, leaving 1-inch border. Brush pastry edges with beaten egg. Roll out second pastry sheet to 12x15-inch rectangle. Place atop filling, pressing on edges to seal. Fold 1/2 inch of bottom pastry edge up over top pastry; crimp edges to seal. Brush top with beaten egg. Cut eight 2-inch slashes in top pastry. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; chill.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Bake empanada uncovered until crust is browned and crisp, about 25 minutes. Slide onto platter.