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Empanadas

The following is a basic recipe for tasty beef empanadas:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour – 1/2 teaspoon salt – 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, chopped into small pieces – 1/4 cup cold water
  • 1 pound ground beef – 1 finely chopped small onion – 1 finely chopped small red bell pepper – 2 minced garlic cloves – 1 teaspoon ground cumin – 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste – 1/4 cup chopped pitted olives (optional)
  • 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs (optional)
  • 1 beaten egg (for egg wash)

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing basin, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and work them into the flour with a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Add the cold water gradually to the flour mixture, stirring with a fork until the dough comes together. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  3. In a pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Mix in the onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes more, or until the vegetables have softened.
  4. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out to about 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured board. Cut circles from the dough with a round cutter or a glass.
  5. Spoon a dollop of the beef filling onto each dough circle. If preferred, garnish with a few chopped olives and hard-boiled egg slices.
  6. To make a half-moon shape, fold the dough over the filling. Press and seal the edges of the empanada with a fork.
  7. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the empanadas on it. Brush the beaten egg over the tops of the empanadas.
  8. Bake the empanadas for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
  9. Remove from the oven and set aside for a few minutes before serving. Take pleasure in your homemade beef empanadas!

Feel free to modify the filling by adding or changing ingredients to suit your taste. You can also play around with different shapes and sizes of empanadas.