Empanadas. – Dishes

**Empanadas: A Delicious Handheld Delight**

Empanadas are a beloved dish that has made its way across many cultures, from Latin America to Spain, and even beyond. These savory pastries, filled with a variety of ingredients, are perfect for any occasion—whether as a snack, appetizer, or a full meal. Golden, crispy, and bursting with flavor, empanadas are the ideal comfort food, and they are surprisingly easy to make at home.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make these delightful pockets of goodness, along with some variations on fillings, and tips to ensure they turn out perfectly every time!

### **What Are Empanadas?**

Empanadas are pastry pockets that are filled with a variety of ingredients such as meats, vegetables, cheese, or even sweet fillings. The dough is typically made from flour, butter, and water, then rolled out into circles. Once the filling is added, the dough is folded over to create a half-moon shape and sealed. The empanadas are then baked or fried until they are golden and crispy.

While empanadas originated in Spain, they are popular throughout Latin America, especially in countries like Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. Each region has its own version of empanadas with unique fillings and cooking methods, which is what makes them so versatile and fun to make!

### **Ingredients for Classic Empanadas**

#### **For the Dough:**
– 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
– 1 large egg
– 1/3 cup cold water (more if needed)
– 1 tablespoon vinegar (optional, for extra flakiness)

#### **For the Filling:**
– 1 lb ground beef (or chicken, pork, or even veggies for a vegetarian version)
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 1/2 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for a smoky flavor)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/2 cup green olives, chopped (optional)
– 1/4 cup raisins (optional, for a sweet-savory touch)
– 1 boiled potato, mashed (optional, to add heartiness)
– 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)

### **Instructions for Making Empanadas**

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by mixing the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter, and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This process creates a flaky dough.

Next→

**Step 1: Prepare the Dough** Start by mixing the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter, and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This process creates a flaky dough. Next→

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by mixing the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter, and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This process creates a flaky dough.

Next→