Step-by-step tutorial: how to elevate your beef empanada game

Empanadas, those golden-brown pastries filled with savory goodness, have captivated taste buds worldwide. Among the myriad of fillings, beef stands out as a classic, offering a robust and flavorful experience. This comprehensive guide will lead you through every step of creating the most exceptional beef empanadas, ensuring that each bite is a culinary masterpiece.

Crafting the Perfect Dough

The foundation of an exceptional empanada lies in its dough. For a flaky and tender crust, follow these tips:

• Use high-quality flour: All-purpose flour is suitable, but bread flour or pastry flour will provide extra flakiness.
• Keep the ingredients cold: Cold butter and water prevent the gluten from developing too much, resulting in a more tender crust.
• Cut in the butter: Use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into small pieces, creating pockets of air that will puff up during baking.
• Chill the dough: Allow the dough to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will make it easier to work with and prevent it from shrinking in the oven.

Selecting and Preparing the Beef

The choice of beef is crucial for flavorful empanadas. Opt for ground chuck or sirloin, which have a good balance of fat and lean.

• Brown the beef: Cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned. Drain any excess fat.
• Season generously: Enhance the beef with a blend of salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and paprika.
• Add moisture: Incorporate some chopped onions and bell peppers into the beef mixture to add moisture and flavor.

Creating the Savory Filling

In addition to the beef, you can add other ingredients to create a richer and more complex filling:

• Cheese: Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese adds a creamy and gooey element.
• Vegetables: Chopped olives, corn, or peas provide a pop of color and freshness.
• Herbs: Fresh cilantro or parsley add a touch of brightness and aroma.

Assembling the Empanadas

Once the dough and filling are ready, it’s time to assemble the empanadas:

• Roll out the dough: Roll the dough out into a thin sheet, about 1/16-inch thick.
• Cut out circles: Use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out circles from the dough.
• Fill and fold: Place a spoonful of the beef filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges together to seal.
• Crimp the edges: Use your fingers or a fork to crimp the edges, ensuring that the empanadas are securely closed.

Baking the Empanadas

For perfectly golden-brown and crispy empanadas, follow these baking instructions:

• Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Brush with egg wash: Brush the empanadas with an egg wash made from one egg beaten with a tablespoon of water. This will give them a glossy finish.
• Bake: Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serving and Enjoying

Freshly baked beef empanadas are best served warm. Accompany them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

Tips for Exceptional Empanadas

• Experiment with different fillings: Don’t limit yourself to beef. Try other fillings such as chicken, pork, or vegetables.
• Make them ahead of time: Empanadas can be made ahead of time and frozen. Simply reheat them in the oven or microwave when ready to serve.
• Use a food processor: If you have a food processor, you can use it to quickly and easily chop the onions, bell peppers, and herbs.
• Don’t overfill: Overfilling the empanadas can make them difficult to seal and may cause them to burst during baking.
• Let them cool slightly: Allow the empanadas to cool for a few minutes before serving. This will prevent the filling from oozing out.

Information You Need to Know

• Can I use a pre-made dough? Yes, you can use a pre-made dough, but it may not be as flavorful or flaky as a homemade dough.
• What if I don’t have a pastry cutter? You can use two knives or even your fingers to cut the butter into the flour.
• How do I know when the empanadas are done baking? The empanadas are done baking when they are golden brown and the filling is heated through.
• Can I freeze the empanadas before baking? Yes, you can freeze the empanadas before baking. Simply place them on a baking sheet and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw the empanadas overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed.
• Can I make the empanadas in a different shape? Yes, you can make the empanadas in any shape you like. Some popular shapes include circles, triangles, and half-moons.