Empanadas are a popular Latin American dish and in Argentina, they are an important part of its cuisine. The most common filling is ground beef, onions, garlic, cumin, and other spices. The article provides step-by-step instructions for making traditional Argentinean empanadas, such as making the dough, preparing the filling with ground beef, raisins, and olives, assembling the empanadas, and tips to make them perfect. Different fillings could include chicken with oregano and potatoes, spinach, and ricotta cheese, and ham and cheese. The dish can also be frozen before baking, which makes it convenient for later consumption.

The Art of Making Argentinean Empanadas: Perfect Every Time

Introduction

Empanadas are a popular Latin American dish that originated in Spain. However, each country has its own unique version of empanadas. In Argentina, empanadas are an important part of its cuisine, and there are countless variations depending on the region. The most common empanadas are made of dough filled with a mixture of ground beef, onions, garlic, cumin, and other spices. In this article, we’ll share a step-by-step guide and recipe to help you make perfect Argentinean empanadas every time.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients that you’ll need to make the empanadas:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup ice water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup green olives, chopped
• 2 boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• Egg wash (1 egg beaten with a splash of water)

Directions

Step 1: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Add in the butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add in the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a ball. Knead the dough a few times until it’s smooth, then wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Filling

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the ground beef and cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Add the olives, boiled eggs, and raisins, and stir until everything is well combined. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool.

Step 3: Assemble the Empanadas

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Take the dough out of the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface until it’s about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles with a 4-inch cookie cutter or a glass.

Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape, then use a fork to seal the edges together. Brush the empanadas with the egg wash.

Step 4: Bake the Empanadas

Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve hot.

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make perfect Argentinean empanadas:

• Make sure your dough is chilled before rolling it out. This will make it much easier to work with.
• Don’t overfill the empanadas, or they’ll burst open in the oven.
• Try different fillings if you want to mix things up. Some popular variations include chicken with oregano and potatoes, spinach and ricotta cheese, and ham and cheese.
• The empanadas can be frozen before baking. Simply wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as usual.

Conclusion

Making Argentinean empanadas can seem intimidating at first, but with this step-by-step guide and recipe, you’ll be able to make them perfectly every time. The key is to take your time and not rush any of the steps. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, you can experiment with different fillings and make them your own. Enjoy!