Empanadas

We recently were lucky to go to a Patriots Game. It was a lot of fun. Everyone was nice and no one acted to crazy including myself. My first NFL game and I forgot to bring my camera so I have no photos to share just the ticket stub.

 Well, this weekend my favorite team will be playing the Patriots. Of course, we are going to have company to watch the game. I like both teams so it will be a great game even if my team doesn't win.

For supper, I made empanadas for the first time. I had to create my own filling. My family will not eat raisins or olives. My youngest daughter wanted cheese so it could be more like a hot pocket maybe next time. I served the empanadas with sour cream and salsa. The meal was still very good and I made them in the shape of a football.

Empanadas
Dough:
41/2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
2 eggs
2/3 cup to 1 cup ice water
1 1/2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar

1. In a food processor, combine the flour and salt.
2. Add the butter and pulse for between 20-30 times or until the mixture looks like coarse meal.
3. Add the eggs and vinegar. Pulse 10 times.
4. Slowly add the water and pulse until the dough comes together. 
5. Knead the dough one or two times to bring the dough together.
6. Cut in half and flatten. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 to 6 hours.

Recipe adapted from: Smitten Kitchen.

Filling:
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 jalapenos, finely chopped
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 Tbsp of hot sauce or more for spicier
Salt and pepper to taste.

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Saute the onion and jalapenos for 5 minutes.
3. Add the ground beef and brown.
4. Add the remaining ingredients and combine.

To assemble:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the dough into ten pieces.
3. Roll out each piece into a circle.
4. Add about 3 spoonful of the filling into the middle of the dough.
5. Fold over the dough and seal the two pieces together.
6. Brush with egg wash.
7. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Does it look like a foot or more like a yam?

Did you already know..............
-Empanadas are like turnovers filled with meat, vegetables, or fruit.
-Empanadas are popular in Latin America, South America, and Southern Europe.
-Empanadas name is derived from the Spanish word"empanar" which means to wrap or coat in bread.
-They can be baked or fried.