Tampering In The Kitchen...

I've been cooking/baking out of my comfort zone lately. Usually, I stick to American or Asian cuisine but I've been reading up on Latin cuisine and is extremely eager to try out something for myself. I figured my first experiment would be the much coveted empanada.

Different regions of the Latin culture have their own recipe(s) for empanadas. Regardless, they all start out with a bread-like flour shell, and end with a sinfully flavorful filling (sweet or savory).

Let's start out with the dough (I used part All-purpose flour and part whole wheat flour):

• 2 cups unbleached All-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar (completely optional, I just wanted a hint of sweetness)
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1/2 cup cold water
  
• 3 TBS shortening
• 1 TBS butter/margarine

Combine the first three dry ingredients in a bowl.
Using two butter knives, cut in the shortening and butter.
In another bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients.
Create a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour in the egg mixture.
Mix the dry and wet ingredients with a fork and turn the dough into a lightly
floured surface. Knead until the dough is smooth and all the flour is incorporated.
Shape the dough into a round shape, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for
an hour, no more than 24 hours.

Beef Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/3 cup onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1/3 cup green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup cooked potatoes, diced
• 1 jalapeno, finely chopped
• 1 TBS paprika
• 1 TBS oregano
• 1 TBS Chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1-1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 TBS flour
  
• freshly ground pepper
• Canola oil

1) Start out by by sauteing the garlic, onion, bell pepper and potatoes in a half a tablespoon of oil, over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until onion becomes translucent. Transfer on to a plate.
2) In the same pan under medium-high, add the remaining oil and cook the beef until it changes color. Be sure to break up the meat well.
3) Add in all the dry herbs and spices. Mix until it is well incorporated.
4) Stir in the beef broth and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer for about 3 minutes.
5) Sprinkle the flour and stir in well until thickened. Remove from stove and let the filling cool.

Assembling the empanadas:

• Divide the dough into 12 parts (the dough yielded 12 empanadas for me).
• Lightly flour the surface and roll out the dough into 5 inch discs.
• Place 3 tablespoons of filling in the middle of the center of the disc.

• Moisten the edges of the circle with a small amount of water and fold the dough over the filling to make a half circle. Press the edges together to seal and crimp with a fork.

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  
• Lightly brush the empanadas with an egg-wash and bake for 35 minutes, or until the empanadas turn golden brown.