Savory Meat Empanadillas
Savory Meat Empanadillas are delightful, bite-sized turnovers that boast a crispy, flaky exterior and a scrumptious filling of seasoned ground beef and pork. These little pockets of joy are spiced with a medley of aromatic herbs and spices, complemented by the subtle sweetness of raisins and the briny pop of stuffed olives. Perfect as a party appetizer or snack, these empanadillas are a favorite in Spanish cuisine, offering an irresistible option for sharing without the need for utensils. Their versatility allows for creativity in the kitchen, letting you adjust the filling to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Enjoy them warm straight from the oven or at room temperature at your next gathering!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Puff pastry sheets
2 (pre-rolled)
Egg whites
2 (lightly beaten for brushing)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Lean ground beef
1/4 lb (fresh or thawed)
Ground lean pork
1/4 lb (fresh or thawed)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Paprika
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Cumin
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Chili powder
1 tablespoon (for seasoning)
Onion
1/4 cup (minced)
Garlic clove
1 (minced)
Jalapeno
1 (minced)
Butter
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Hard-cooked eggs
2 (finely chopped)
Stuffed olives
3 tablespoons (chopped)
Raisins
3 tablespoons (seedless and chopped)
Tomato sauce
1/2 cup (for moisture)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the ground beef and pork, cooking until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Stir in the minced onion, garlic, and jalapeno. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the garlic is aromatic, around 3-4 minutes.
3
Add the seasonings: salt, paprika, pepper, cumin, and chili powder. Mix well and cook for an additional minute to let the spices bloom.
4
Incorporate the chopped hard-boiled eggs, olives, raisins, and tomato sauce into the mixture. Stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat until the mixture becomes very thick, about 10 minutes. Allow it to cool to room temperature before filling the empanadillas.
5
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
6
Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface until they are about 1/8 inch thick. Use a 2-inch round cutter to cut out circles.
7
Place about 1 tablespoon of the cooled meat mixture in the center of each pastry circle. Fold the circle in half and use a fork to crimp the edges, sealing the filling inside.
8
Brush the tops of the empanadillas with egg whites to give them a golden color while baking.
9
Arrange the empanadillas on a greased baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Meat Empanadillas?
Savory Meat Empanadillas are bite-sized turnovers with a crispy, flaky puff pastry exterior and a seasoned filling of ground beef and pork.
What meats are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of 1/4 lb lean ground beef and 1/4 lb ground lean pork.
What temperature should I bake the empanadillas?
The oven should be preheated and set to 425°F (220°C).
How long do the empanadillas need to bake?
They should bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
What type of pastry is required?
The recipe calls for 2 pre-rolled puff pastry sheets.
How do I ensure the empanadillas are golden brown?
Brush the tops of the assembled pastry circles with lightly beaten egg whites before baking.
What spices provide the flavor for the meat filling?
The filling is seasoned with salt, paprika, black pepper, cumin, and chili powder.
Do I need to cook the meat before filling the pastry?
Yes, the ground beef and pork should be browned in a skillet with olive oil and butter for 5-7 minutes before adding other ingredients.
Are there any sweet ingredients in the savory filling?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of seedless chopped raisins are added to provide a subtle sweetness.
How do I seal the empanadillas?
Fold the pastry circle in half over the filling and use a fork to crimp the edges tightly.
What size should the pastry circles be?
You should use a 2-inch round cutter to create the pastry circles.
Should the filling be hot or cold when I assemble the turnovers?
The meat mixture should be allowed to cool to room temperature before you begin filling the empanadillas.
How much filling goes into each empanadilla?
Place approximately 1 tablespoon of the cooled meat mixture in the center of each pastry circle.
What aromatics are used in the recipe?
The recipe uses minced onion, minced garlic, and one minced jalapeno for flavor.
Are there eggs inside the empanadillas?
Yes, the filling includes two finely chopped hard-cooked eggs.
What kind of olives are recommended?
The recipe specifies 3 tablespoons of chopped stuffed olives.
How thick should the puff pastry be rolled?
Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface until they are about 1/8 inch thick.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
It contains a jalapeno and chili powder, which provide a mild spice, but you can adjust these to your preference.
What is the purpose of the tomato sauce?
Tomato sauce is added to the meat mixture to provide moisture and help bind the ingredients together.
Can these be served cold?
They can be served warm straight from the oven or at room temperature.
How many ingredients are in the Savory Meat Empanadillas recipe?
There are a total of 18 ingredients used in this recipe.
Do I need to grease the baking sheet?
Yes, the instructions recommend arranging the empanadillas on a greased baking sheet.
What is the first step in making the filling?
The first step is heating olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat to brown the meats.
How long should the filling simmer?
The mixture should simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes until it becomes very thick.
Are these suitable as an appetizer?
Yes, they are described as perfect party appetizers or finger foods that don't require utensils.
What cuisine does this dish belong to?
These empanadillas are a favorite in Spanish cuisine.
Can I use frozen meat?
The recipe specifies using fresh or thawed lean ground beef and pork.
How many egg whites are needed for brushing?
Two egg whites are used for brushing the tops of the pastries.
What should the onion look like when sautéing is done?
The onion should be sautéed until it is translucent.
How should I prepare the raisins?
The raisins should be seedless and chopped before being added to the simmer.