Fried Empanadas

Servings: This recipe makes approximately 12 empanadas, serving 4-6 people.

Cook Time: The approximate cook time for this recipe is around 30-40 minutes.

Ingredients:

For the Empanadas:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 lb ground beef or your choice of filling (e.g., chicken, cheese, vegetables)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

For the Spicy Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2-3 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to make that TastyBurp

1. Prepare the Empanada Dough:

   • In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
   • Add the cold, diced butter and use your fingers to rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
   • Gradually add water, a little at a time, and knead the dough until it comes together into a smooth ball.
   • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Filling:

   • In a skillet, heat some oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
   • Add the ground beef (or your chosen filling) and cook until browned.
   • Stir in the cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.

3. Assemble the Empanadas:

   • Preheat your frying oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C).
   • Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.
   • Use a round cutter or a small plate to cut out circles from the dough.
   • Place a spoonful of the cooled filling onto one half of each dough circle.
   • Fold the other half over the filling, creating a half-moon shape, and press the edges to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch.

4. Fry the Empanadas:

   • Carefully place the empanadas in the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
   • Remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

5. Prepare the Spicy Sauce:

   • In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust the hot sauce to your desired level of spiciness.

6. Serve:

   • Serve the fried empanadas hot with the spicy sauce on the side for dipping.

Enjoy your homemade fried empanadas with spicy sauce! Adjust the spice level and filling to your taste preferences.