Savory Sweet-Spiced Empanadas with Zesty Tomato Dipping Sauce
Indulge in these delightful empanadas that boast a beautiful balance of sweetness and spice. Filled with a savory ground beef mixture enhanced by tender, diced russet potatoes and an array of aromatic spices, these empanadas are sure to impress. Cream cheese adds a creamy richness that perfectly complements the flavorful filling. Paired with a zesty tomato dipping sauce, crafted with a hint of heat and tang from red wine vinegar and Sriracha, these empanadas can be served as bite-sized appetizers or larger portions for a fulfilling dinner. Perfect for gatherings or cozy weeknight meals, each bite offers a hint of surprise that will keep you coming back for more!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
24
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1/2 lb (raw)
russet potato
1 (peeled and diced)
white onion
1/3 cup (minced)
brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons (packed)
cinnamon
1 teaspoon (ground)
chili powder
1 teaspoon (ground)
allspice
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
milk
1/2 cup (none)
cream cheese
6 ounces (softened)
puff pastry sheets
1 (17 1/3 ounce) box (thawed)
tomato sauce
8 ounces (store-bought)
tomato paste
1 tablespoon (none)
hot chili sauce (Sriracha)
1 tablespoon (none)
red wine vinegar
1/2 tablespoon (none)
brown sugar (for sauce)
1-2 tablespoons (to taste)
garam masala
1 tablespoon (spice blend)
cinnamon (for sauce)
1/2-1 teaspoon (ground)
allspice (for sauce)
1/2-1 teaspoon (ground)
chili powder (for sauce)
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
black pepper (for sauce)
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon (for roasting)
olive oil
1/2 tablespoon (for cooking)
Instructions
1
For the dipping sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, hot chili sauce, red wine vinegar, and brown sugar. Whisk together until smooth and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
2
For the empanadas: Remove the puff pastry sheets from the freezer and allow them to thaw for about 40 minutes at room temperature.
3
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
4
Peel and dice the russet potato into small pieces. Place them in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Drain and set aside.
5
While the potatoes are cooking, finely mince the onion and combine it in a large bowl with the ground beef, brown sugar, and all the spices. Pour in the milk and knead the mixture with your hands until it is soft and well combined.
6
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the beef mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned completely. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
7
Gently fold the drained potatoes into the browned meat mixture, ensuring it's well mixed. The potatoes will absorb some of the fat for added moisture.
8
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets and cut them into 24 equal rectangles.
9
Divide the beef and potato filling among the pastry rectangles, placing a portion of cream cheese on top of each filling. Close the empanadas by folding the pastry over the filling and sealing the edges by pressing or crimping with a fork.
10
Arrange the empanadas on a lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, or until they are puffy and golden brown.
11
Once baked, remove the empanadas from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with the zesty tomato dipping sauce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Sweet-Spiced Empanadas?
These empanadas are a delightful pastry featuring a ground beef and potato filling flavored with cinnamon, allspice, and chili powder, served with a zesty tomato sauce.
What ingredients are in the empanada filling?
The filling consists of ground beef, diced russet potatoes, minced white onion, brown sugar, milk, and a blend of cinnamon, chili powder, allspice, salt, and pepper.
How is the Zesty Tomato Dipping Sauce prepared?
The sauce is made by whisking together tomato sauce, tomato paste, Sriracha, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, garam masala, and several other spices until smooth.
How long should I thaw the puff pastry sheets?
The puff pastry sheets should be removed from the freezer and allowed to thaw for approximately 40 minutes at room temperature.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking empanadas?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) before baking the empanadas.
How do I prepare the russet potato for the filling?
Peel and dice the potato into small pieces, then simmer in water for 10-15 minutes until tender before draining.
What role does cream cheese play in this recipe?
A portion of softened cream cheese is placed on top of the beef and potato filling inside each empanada to add creamy richness.
How many empanadas does this recipe yield?
According to the instructions, the pastry sheets should be cut into 24 equal rectangles, yielding 24 empanadas.
How do you seal the empanadas?
Fold the pastry over the filling and seal the edges by pressing or crimping them with a fork.
How long do the empanadas need to bake?
They should be baked for 13-15 minutes until they are puffy and golden brown.
Is there sugar in the meat filling?
Yes, 1 1/2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar are added to the ground beef mixture for a sweet-savory balance.
What kind of vinegar is used in the dipping sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 tablespoon of red wine vinegar to add tanginess to the sauce.
Do I need to cook the beef before filling the pastry?
Yes, the ground beef mixture should be cooked in a skillet over medium heat until completely browned and drained of excess fat before assembly.
What type of pastry is used for these empanadas?
This recipe uses one 17 1/3 ounce box of puff pastry sheets.
Why is milk added to the ground beef?
Milk is kneaded into the raw beef and spice mixture to make it soft and well combined before cooking.
What gives the dipping sauce its spice?
The heat in the sauce comes from hot chili sauce (Sriracha) and additional chili powder.
Can I serve these empanadas for dinner?
Yes, they can be served as bite-sized appetizers or in larger portions for a fulfilling dinner.
Should the potatoes be added to the beef while cooking?
The tender, cooked potatoes should be gently folded into the meat mixture after the beef has been browned and drained.
What spices are in the dipping sauce?
The sauce includes garam masala, cinnamon, allspice, chili powder, and black pepper.
How should I prepare the onion?
The white onion should be finely minced before being combined with the ground beef.
Is there oil used in the cooking process?
Yes, olive oil is used for cooking and sesame oil is included for roasting purposes.
How do you know when the empanadas are done?
They are ready when the puff pastry becomes puffy and takes on a golden brown color.
Should the sauce be served hot or cold?
The instructions suggest letting the flavors meld at room temperature and serving it alongside the warm empanadas.
Can I use store-bought tomato sauce?
Yes, the recipe specifies 8 ounces of store-bought tomato sauce for the dipping sauce base.
Are these empanadas suitable for parties?
Yes, they are tagged as party food and are perfect for gatherings as bite-sized snacks.
What texture should the potato be?
The potato should be tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork after simmering for 10-15 minutes.
Does the recipe require salt?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is added to the beef mixture, or more to taste.
How should I handle the puff pastry while cutting?
Roll out the thawed sheets on a lightly floured surface before cutting them into rectangles.
What is the flavor profile of the dipping sauce?
The sauce is zesty, tangy, and slightly spicy with warm aromatic notes from garam masala and cinnamon.
Should I drain the beef fat?
Yes, you should drain any excess fat from the skillet after browning the beef but before folding in the potatoes.