Costa Rican Empanada Recipes Pura Vida Moms from www.puravidamoms.com
Description
Empanadas are a popular Latin American pastry that can be filled with a variety of savory or sweet ingredients. In Costa Rica, empanadas are typically filled with ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables. They are a delicious and portable snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Prep Time
Preparing the filling will take about 20 minutes, and the dough will take an additional 30 minutes to make.
Cook Time
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the empanadas, but they typically take 10-15 minutes to fry.
Ingredients
For the dough:
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of cold water
1/2 cup of vegetable shortening
For the filling:
1 pound of ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon of cumin
1 tablespoon of paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
Large skillet
Frying pan
Rolling pin
Method
1. Start by making the dough. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt together. 2. Cut the vegetable shortening into small pieces and add it to the flour mixture. Use your hands to mix the shortening and flour together until it resembles coarse crumbs. 3. Slowly add the cold water to the mixture, stirring until the dough comes together. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it is smooth and elastic. 4. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 5. While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until it is no longer pink. 6. Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir in the chopped potatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. 7. Cook the filling over medium heat until the potatoes are soft and the vegetables are tender. 8. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into 10-12 equal pieces. 9. Roll each piece of dough out into a circle that is about 4-5 inches in diameter. 10. Spoon a generous amount of filling onto each circle of dough. Fold the dough over and seal the edges by crimping them together with a fork. 11. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. 12. Fry the empanadas in batches until they are golden brown on both sides. 13. Remove the empanadas from the frying pan and place them on a paper towel to drain off any excess oil.
Notes
These empanadas can be served hot or cold and are perfect for a snack or light meal. They can be frozen and reheated in the oven for a quick and easy meal.
Nutrition Info
Each empanada contains approximately 300-400 calories, depending on the size and filling.
Recipe Tips
For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with black beans or another type of legume. You can also experiment with different fillings, such as chicken, cheese, or sweet fillings like guava paste. Don't be afraid to get creative and make this recipe your own!
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