Hand pies are usually a great addition to your holiday. It ensures your appetite is alright and keeps you excited about meals. An Empanadas is a good example of a hand pie and is really a delicious treat. You can eat as an appetizer before a major meal especially when you are on holiday. Really, in terms of how you eat them, your options are limitless. When it comes to preparing them yourself, you can get even more creative. Once you get the basics down, you’ll be making empanadas all the time. To make them even healthier, experiment with fish and shellfish options for more nutritious benefits.

The Simplicity Of Empanadas

Making empanadas is quite simple. Basically, you must make the dough, prepare the filling, and decide whether you will fry or bake them.

The Empanada Dough

The type of dough you prepare varies. Some recipes are little more than a basic bread dough recipe, while the more authentic varieties include either lard of butter for a more pastry-like effect. For these latter varieties, you typically need to wait a few hours to let the dough rest before cutting it into circles and preparing the actual empanadas.

The Empanada Filling

The second part in making empanadas requires that you select the fillings and prepare this filling to be wrapped in the dough. Whether using fish, shellfish, or any other type of meat or poultry, you should first cook the chosen filling, adding your selected seasonings as well. Once this is prepared, you might want to add cheese to the mixture as well for extra flavor. With the filling ready, you’ll need to start forming the empanadas.

Forming The Empanada

To make the empanadas you’ll need to form circles with the dough. The larger the circle, the larger the empanada. From there you need to put a few spoonfuls of filling in each circle, then fold the circle in half and seal by either folding the dough or using a fork to press the two edges together. With your oil or oven heated, within 10 to 12 minutes your tasty empanadas will be ready to be enjoyed.

Jelly, Jam, Compote, Fruit Preserves, Or Fruit Butter Empanadas

Although this recipe is easy, you must consider some time before you start, because for them to taste best requires preparation beforehand.

• First, a day before, mix the butter and cream cheese until they reach a smooth point
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• Add the dry ingredients and neat the dough, but do not over work
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Shape the dough mix into small round balls and have them wrap in cling wrap, refrigerate them overnight or for as long as you want to, a week at the most.
• Once you are ready to bake the empanadas, take the dough out from the refrigerator and preheat your oven at 375ºF or 190ºC degrees.
• Take the dough balls and roll them out until about 1/8″ thick,
• Your dough rounds should be twice you desired empanada size,
• Put a spoonful of jelly, jam, compote, fruit preserves, or fruit butter in the center of each dough round, fold in half, and press the edges together,
• Put the empanadas on an ungreased cookie sheet, lined with non-stick parchment paper, and bake for 20 minutes, until the dough is a medium golden brown,
• Immediately after finish baking, sprinkle with sugar or cinnamon sugar, let cool, and share them with anyone.