**Colombian Empanadas: A Taste of Colombian Street Food at Home**
Colombian empanadas are a delightful culinary treat originating from the vibrant streets of Colombia. These deep-fried or baked pastries feature a golden-brown and crispy exterior that yields to a flavorful and savory filling. Typically made with a corn-based dough called masa de maíz, Colombian empanadas come in various shapes and sizes, and their fillings can range from classic ground beef to unique regional specialties.
This comprehensive article offers two distinct recipes to guide you in creating these delectable empanadas in your own kitchen. The first recipe presents a traditional beef empanada filling, while the second one introduces an innovative and vegetarian-friendly filling made with black beans and plantains. Both recipes provide detailed instructions, helpful tips, and cultural insights to ensure a successful and enjoyable cooking experience.
As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll discover the secrets behind crafting the perfect empanada dough, achieving the ideal texture and flavor balance in the fillings, and mastering the art of shaping and frying these delicious pockets of goodness. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article equips you with all the knowledge and guidance you need to create authentic and mouthwatering Colombian empanadas that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Colombia. So, let's get started and uncover the culinary wonders of Colombian empanadas!
COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS
Colombian Empanadas are a popular appetizer in Colombia and are served by most Colombian restaurants in the USA, best when served with aji salsa for dipping but they are still great just the way they are !
Provided by Jalynn8
Categories Steak
Time 2h30m
Yield 40 empanadas, 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Prepare the vegetables:.Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large stock pot. Add 3 minced cloves of garlic, chopped tomato, chopped green onions, chopped onion, chopped red bell pepper, chopped cilantro leaves, ½ teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 package Sazón Goya con azafran. Sautee over medium heat, stirring until onion is very soft (about 12-15 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste. When done remove all contents from pot and set aside in a separate bowl.
- Prepare steak and potatoes:.In the large stock pot (or can use a slow cooker) add 1 whole head of garlic (smashed), 1 whole onion peeled and cut in half, 1 whole tomato cut in half,(sounds weird but is necessary for the broth) 3 beef bouillon cubes, flank steak and cover with water. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer the steak until very tender (about an hour). Peel and quarter potatoes and add to the pot, adding more water if necessary to cover the potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are very tender (about 25 minutes). Remove pot from heat and let the meat and potatoes cool in the broth.
- Remove the meat from the broth and slice into 1" cubes, then put cut up steak into a food processor and pulse it until it looks like ground beef *DO NOT OVER PROCESS, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE BABY FOOD OUT OF THE STEAK*.
- Remove potatoes from the broth and set aside in a separate bowl, strain the broth and reserve it.
- Add the potatoes, the meat and vegetables into the same bowl. Add a little of the beef broth to the mixture and mix well, mashing the potatoes in the process.
- Prepare the dough:.Place 3 cups yellow masarepa (pre-cooked cornmeal) into a large bowl, add 2 teaspoons of sugar and salt and pepper to taste, incorporate the dry ingredients well before adding the liquid.
- Combine 1 cup of reserved broth, 2 ¼ cups of hot water and 1 tablespoon of softened butter.
- Slowly add the cornmeal to the water and stir with a big spoon. When all of the corn meal has been added, work the dough with your hands until it becomes soft. Let rest for 20 minutes.
- Making the empanadas:.To make the empanadas, put a small ball of dough (about the size of a golf ball) in the center of a tortilla press covered with plastic and press to flatten it. You can also put the small ball of dough between two pieces of plastic and flatten it with a small saucepan.
- Add a tablespoon or so of the filling. Fold the circle of dough in half to form a half moon.
- Cut off the edge of the half moon with a cup or drinking glass. This will shape your empanada and seal it at the same time. Another way to make them is pressing the edge with your fingers and folding the extra dough inwards, this will prevent the filling from coming out during frying.
- you can fry them in a deep frier at 350ºF. You can also fry them on the stove at medium high temperature. Fry the empanadas for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Then put them on a paper towels to drain them.
- *Note: You can shape the empanadas a day ahead, and chill them until you are ready to fry. Once empanadas are cooked, keep them warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve.
EMPANADAS COLOMBIANAS (COLOMBIAN MEAT PIES)
Just about every culture has a variation of a meat pie. For example, Jamaican Beef Patties, Cornish Pasties, Chinese Pork Buns, Mediterranean Pide (Pita), and in the US Pot Pie. Even within a region or country the ingredients vary widely. This recipe is one version that my husband likes.
Provided by threeovens
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h30m
Yield 20 meat pies
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Measure the masarepa into a large bowl, add the sazon, if using, and salt and mix well; add the water and mix to form a dough (it will be a little wet and rubbery); let stand while filling is prepared.
- Meanwhile, cook the potatoes with water and the bouillon until tender, about 10 minutes; drain, mash slightly and set aside.
- In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil; add onion, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, bell pepper, and cilantro.
- Cook, stirring occasionally until tomatoes break down, about 15 minutes.
- Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, cumin, and sazon; cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fairly dry.
- Stir in potatoes and mix well.
- Heat oil (at least 2 inches) over medium high heat.
- Break off golf ball sized sections of dough (1.5 oz) and roll in your hands into a ball; place between plastic wrap and flatten with the heel of your palm into a 6 inch disc.
- Peel away plastic from top only and scoop plastic and disc into your palm; place a heaping tablespoon of filling in center then fold disc and pinch closed; slightly flatten to distribute filling.
- With a slotted spoon, gently lower empanada into hot oil and cook 2 minutes, turning about halfway through (you'll need to cook in batches); drain on paper toweling.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with recipe Aji (recipe #377331) or Avocado Sauce (recipe #411639) and/or lime wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 118.3, Fat 4.7, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 15.4, Sodium 154.1, Carbohydrate 13.7, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 0.7, Protein 5.8
COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the meat, onions, carrot and potato and saute until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the tomato, cilantro, eggs, capers, salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Roll out the chilled pastry to 1/4 inch thick and cut out 3 inch diameter rounds (you should get about 40). Place 2 tablespoons of the filling on half of the rounds, and cover the filling with the remaining half of the rounds. Seal the edges with the tines of a fork. Place the filled empanadas on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
EMAPANDAS COLOMBIANAS- COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS
Categories Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine the corn meal, salt and the hot water. As soon as the ingredients are combined, begin to stir the mixture until all of the water is well combined into the flour, then set aside and let the mixture cool. Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, turn the mixture out onto a board and lightly knead the mixture (for about 1 minute) and then separate mixture into 4 large balls. Take one of the balls place between a piece of plastic wrap and flatten with a rolling pin. Roll mixture out into a thin to medium thin thickness. On the end closest to you, go up about 1 1/2 inches and place your choice of filling. After placing the filling, take the plastic and fold it over the filling, then take your cup and cut out a crescent shaped Empanada. Note** The crescent shaped cutting is done on top of the plastic wrap. Remove the wrap from the top and remove the Empanada and set aside. Once all of your Empanadas are completed, you can fry immediately or place in the refrigerator. I like to place them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes just to allow the corn meal to set a little better. Do not be scared of the instructions. Once you make one empanada you will see that it is very simple.
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients will give your empanadas the best flavor. Look for ripe, flavorful fruits and vegetables, and use high-quality meat and cheese.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will make it tough. Mix the dough just until it comes together, then stop. If you don't have a kitchen scale to measure the ingredients, you can use measuring cups and spoon the flour into the measuring cup lightly. Do not scoop the flour directly into the measuring cup because it will pack it down and you will end up with too much flour in your dough..
- Roll the dough out thinly: The thinner you roll out the dough, the crispier your empanadas will be. If you have a pasta roller, you can use it to roll out the dough. If not, you can use a rolling pin.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When you're frying the empanadas, don't overcrowd the pan. This will cause the empanadas to stick together and not cook evenly.
- Serve the empanadas hot: Empanadas are best served hot, right out of the fryer. You can serve them with a dipping sauce, such as guacamole, salsa, or sour cream.
Conclusion:
Empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They're perfect for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make delicious empanadas at home. So next time you're looking for a fun and easy recipe to try, give empanadas a try! You won't be disappointed.
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