Puerto Rican Beef Empanada RECIPE!

Whether you are having unexpected guests over or you are in the mood for a quick snack to "hold you over until dinner", these are the perfect pick me up, yes pick me up, these little things seriously make me happy :) haha You can also, however, eat these accompanied with some rice for a full meal, I have often done that as well. Ok, enough of the blabber, let's get started with the goods!

Ingredients:

• 1 package of the (white) flour discs, I get the GOYA ones (This will make 10) *DEFROSTED*
• 2 Tbsp. Sofrito (recipe below)
• Adobo Powder (I also use the Goya one, Goya should sponsor me already right?! lol)
• Small can of plain tomato sauce
• 1 lb. Ground Meat (you can actually use beef, turkey chicken etc.)
• Vegetable Oil (we use this to fry them)

Basic Sofrito Recipe: 

1. Combine yellow onions, green AND red peppers, Cilantro and garlic in a food processor until its a very fine texture. ---Yes, it IS that simple ;)

Directions: 

1. In a skillet, brown the meat and drain out any excess fat that may be lingering there
2. Return the cooked meat to the pan and add in the 2-3 tablespoons of sofrito (I like mine VERY flavorful so I add 2.5 tablespoons to 3 sometimes :) Then sprinkle with adobo to taste and add your small can of tomato sauce. 
3. Turn the flame back on to low heat and let it simmer for another 15 mins. 
4.  While this meat mixture is cooling off, start heating your oil (to 325 degrees)--this can take a little while so be patient :) I always stick a spoon in and see if it sizzles to tell if it's hot. 
5. While the oil is heating begin preparing your empanadas for frying. This means adding 2 Tbsp. or so of the meat mixture to the center of the flour disco. Fold it into a half moon shape and seal the sides by pressing down a fork and making a pretty little design at the same time :) 
6. After sealing them front and back (this assures that nothing leaks out!) Set them aside until your oil is heated, once this is so, place 3 or 4 (depending on the size of your pan) at a time in. Once you see one side golden brown, flip them over. 
7. Once you can see that both sides have cooked evenly, place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil and YOU ARE DONE! 

I actually did this process with the kids and they loved it. Away from the burning oil, which I did, it was a fun way to get them involved in the kitchen :) It is so simple to instruct as well!

**In mine I added a tiny slice of cheese to make them meat and cheese, you do this during the "stuffing process". You can do this easily to any of the other versions as well! **

If you aren't afraid of a little spice, top them off with some hot sauce while you are eating, it is truly superb!

Here are some photos of "empanada day":

 

If you decide to make these, let me know how they come out :)

These may not be the healthiest (fried foods), but as a treat, they are just perfect. I have another recipe to come that is healthier no worries for my healthy readers :)

¡buen provecho!

xox