Recipe for Cheesy Beef Empanadas

Name: Recipe for Cheesy Beef Empanadas
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 500g lean ground beef; 1 medium sized carrot, minced; 1 medium sized onion, minced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; Cheddar cheese, grated; 1 medium sized potato, minced.; 2 cups All-purpose flour; 3 tbsp melted butter; 1 tsp salt; 7 tbsp water; 2 egg yolks; Salt and black pepper; 2 tbsp soy sauce

A classic homemade snack with a pre-made crust and a loaded cheesy and beefy filling. This empanadas recipe ensures a food that your whole family will love!

Beef Crunchy Fried Snack

Appetizers

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Origin of the dish

Cheesy Beef Empanadas is a baked or fried dish made of a pastry and a cheesy beef filling. However, in this recipe I preferred to bake the empanada to give it a more bread texture than an oily fried one hence it's baked. Just don’t forget to brush it with a whisked egg on top to have a glassy and crispy texture on the outside and a soft fluffy texture on the inside.

The origin of empanadas is still unclear, but they are believed to have come from Galicia, an autonomous region of Spain. The name Empanada comes from the word empanar which means “enbreaded” or wrapped or coated in bread. This pastry is very common in countries like Spain, Philippines, and Latin American countries.

When is it typically served?

Cheesy Beef Empanadas is typically served as an appetizer or side dish. However, in places like the Philippines, it is commonly eaten as a snack and is better served hot while the cheese is melting in the inside. Empanadas are typically served during parties or festivals as a starts or main course. It is also commonly served during special occasions like birthdays and even on Christmas.

Kitchen Utensils You Will Need

You will be needing the following kitchen tools and equipment in making the perfect Cheesy Beef Empanada:

Mixing bowl
Chopping board
Cutting knife
Electric/Wireless mincer
Measuring spoons and cups
Whisk
Spatula
Frying pan
Pastry brush
Baking pan
Aluminum foil
Tongs
Oven
Rolling pin
Dough scraper
Dough cutter

Cheesy Beef Empanada’s Primary Ingredients – Ground beef, Cheese, Onions, Carrots, All-purpose flour, Butter and Eggs.

When making the best empanadas, you have to perfect the filling and the dough to wrap the filling. For the filling, the primary ingredients are lean ground beef, cheese, onions and carrots. Talking about the filling of empanada, there are a lot of versions, and it is actually up to you on how you want you filling to taste or what they are made of. For this recipe, I prefer beef filling for a flavorful taste, and I gave it a twist by adding cheese to make it taste better. Afterall, who doesn’t love cheese?

On the other hand, other important ingredients include all-purpose flour, butter and egg which make up the dough for the empanadas. Making the dough is as important as making the filling, you have to make sure the ingredients are proportional to make the perfect dough that can hold or wrap the filling enough to lock it without collapsing in the middle of baking or frying.

Interesting Facts About Empanadas

April 8 is National Empanada Day!
Empanada is called Panada or Pastel in Indonesia.
Argentina is the country that eats the most empanadas.

Tips and Tricks in Making Empanadas

Let the dough rest. This will make the dough easier to roll out.
Make sure the fillings are dry. To prevent the dough from breaking apart.
Use ice cold water. This gives the dough a flaky texture once baked.

Ingredients

500g lean ground beef
1 medium sized carrot, minced
1 medium sized onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Cheddar cheese, grated
1 medium sized potato, minced.
2 cups All-purpose flour
3 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp salt
7 tbsp water
2 egg yolks
Salt and black pepper
2 tbsp soy sauce

Directions

For the dough: In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, salt, egg yolks and water together.
Mix together until it forms a clumpy dough.
Pour the dough onto a flat-smooth surface and knead for 5-7 minutes.
Cut the dough into 10-12 pieces. Roll each piece to form a ball then roll them out evenly into 6 inches circle using a rolling pin. Set aside.
For the filling: Heat a large skillet. Saute onions and garlic. Add in the ground beef and stir. Add next the carrots and potatoes. Stir and cook until the beef are cooked through.
Add salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Then remove from heat.
Lay a piece of the dough you made in a flat surface. Add the beef filling and grated cheese on top. Leave enough space to lock the edges. Fold and press the edges with a fork. Repeat the steps for the remaining dough and filling.
Beat egg in a small bowl. Then brush on top of each of the empanadas.
Bake for 175 degree C for 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown.
Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving plate. Serve hot and enjoy! (Careful with the hot filling)

Empanadas are such a versatile dish. These delicious handy size snack can be prepared with almost any kinds of fillings. Whether you like it chicken, ground pork, ground beef or even vegetables. It’s up to you on how you want your empanadas to taste, give your family a surprise by being creative with your filling. Its just a matter of your imagination and making it to reality through your cooking that’ll surely wow your family and please their cravings.