**Pork Empanadas: A Culinary Journey to Latin Flavors**
Pork empanadas, a culinary delight of Latin American origin, are a true testament to the vibrant flavors and diverse culinary traditions of the region. These golden-brown pastries, filled with a savory blend of seasoned pork and spices, are a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. With variations spanning across different countries, pork empanadas offer a unique exploration of Latin American cuisine. This article presents a collection of delectable pork empanada recipes, each showcasing the distinct flavors and techniques from different corners of the region. From the classic Argentinian empanadas to the unique Honduran pastelitos, these recipes take you on a culinary journey, allowing you to experience the rich diversity of Latin American flavors and traditions.
PORK EMPANADAS
Tender pork turnovers. Filling can be used for almost anything else, such as taco filling. Can be frozen baked or unbaked. The pork and the empanada dough can be made ahead of time.
Provided by Michele O'Sullivan
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 3h45m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- To make the filling: Place pork in a large pot and cover with water. Add onion, garlic, salt, oregano, cumin and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. While pork is cooking, prepare dough.
- To make the dough: Sift together the flour, masa harina, baking powder and salt. Add the shortening to the dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and 1/2 cup milk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the egg mixture and stir with a fork until the dough comes together in a ball. Divide the dough into 16 even pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Place in a container, cover, and refrigerate.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- After the pork has simmered for 1 1/2 hours, remove from liquid. Place pork in a baking dish and bake for 1 hour or until meat shreds easily with fork. Remove from oven (keep oven turned on) and shred into small pieces. Add salsa to shredded pork.
- Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- On lightly floured surface, flatten a piece of dough with the palm of your hand. With a rolling pin, roll out the dough to make a 5-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling in the center of the dough circle. Brush edges of dough with milk. Fold dough over filling. Pinch edges together. Crimp with fork to seal.
- Place on prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining empanada dough. Leftover filling can be frozen or used in tacos, tamales, or burritos.
- Bake in preheated oven until golden, about 20 minutes. Remove to rack and cool for about 5 minutes. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 209.3 calories, Carbohydrate 15.4 g, Cholesterol 40.6 mg, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 8.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 270.2 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
EMPANADAS WITH SPICY PORK
These bite-sized empenadas and pork are a delicious hors d'oeuvre that can be served with a salsa verde.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers Finger Food Recipes
Yield Makes 60
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Toast spices in small, heavy skillet over medium-high heat, shaking pan often, 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to scorch spices. Let cool, finely grind, and combine with garlic.
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. Bring pork to room temperature; rub with spice mixture. Roast in a heavy roasting pan until pork is very well done and falling off the bone, about 2 1/2 hours. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Trim fat and remove pork from bone. Dice into small pieces, cover, and set aside.
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions; saute, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add pork, 2 cups salsa verde, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, pepper, and stock. Simmer until liquid starts to thicken, 5 to 8 minutes.
- Whisk together flour, shortening, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and baking powder in bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups warm water; knead dough until smooth. Cover; let stand 10 minutes. Divide into 60 1 1/2-inch balls; cover with plastic.
- Lightly flour work surface; roll out each dough ball to 3 1/2-inch disk. Place 1 heaping tablespoon pork filling in center of each; fold dough to enclose filling and form a half moon. Seal edges by crimping with fork.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange empanadas on parchment-lined baking sheets; generously brush with butter. Bake 2 pans (meanwhile, refrigerate others) until light brown, 20 to 25 minutes; rotate pans between racks halfway through. Let cool slightly; bake remaining pans. Serve with remaining salsa verde.
PORK EMPANADAS WITH THYME
These savory Pork Empanadas with Thyme patties can be an appetizer or part of a full meal.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers Finger Food Recipes
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Set a steamer basket in a pot with 2 inches boiling water. Add potato, cover, and cook until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, 5 to 7 minutes. Raise heat to high and add pork, thyme, and sage; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until pork is no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring, until blended, about 30 seconds. Add raisins (if using) and 2 tablespoons water; cook until thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in potato, pine nuts (if using), and vinegar. Season filling with salt and pepper and let cool.
- Preheat oven to 400, with racks in upper and lower thirds. On a floured surface, divide dough in half and roll each piece to an 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 6-inch cookie cutter or plate as a guide, cut out 8 circles. Place 1/4 cup filling on half of each circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Brush edge of dough with water; fold top half over filling. Press edges to seal, then crimp firmly with a fork.
- Transfer empanadas to two baking sheets lined with parchment. In a bowl, beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush empanadas with egg wash and top with thyme sprigs. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 484 g, Fat 25 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 14 g
PORK EMPANADAS
This recipe can also be made with shredded beef or chicken. This recipe is from Mark Bittman's cookbook "The Best Recipes in the World".
Provided by Queen Dana
Categories Pork
Time 55m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl or food processor combine flour, masa harina, baking and baking powder. Cut in lard and a slowly add in the water.
- Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth. Shape into 12 balls and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450°F Roll out each ball of dough into a 6 inch circle. Drop about 2 tablespoons of pork in the center of each circle.
- Fold the circles and seal the dough using a fork or pastry tool. Brush with milk. Bake for about 20 minutes or untill golden brown.
PORK AND POTATO EMPANADAS WITH CHARRED TOMATILLO SAUCE
Steps:
- For the filling: Coat a large wide pot with extra-virgin olive oil and set over medium-high heat. Add the pork, cumin and some salt, and cook until the pork is cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat and set aside. Return the pan to the heat, and coat with more oil if needed. Add the onions, season with salt and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Toss in the poblanos and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Return the pork to the pan and add the potatoes. Season with salt, and stir to combine. Add the cilantro and stir to combine. Add the wine and scrape the crud off the bottom of the pan. Then add the stock and bay leaf. Taste and season if needed. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid evaporates. The filling should be saucy but not soupy. Remove the bay leaf and cool the filling completely.
- For the dough: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, masa harina, baking powder and salt. Stir in the melted butter. Gradually add 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup water, and work it in with your hands to incorporate; the dough should be easy to handle and not sticky. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Lightly dust a rolling pin and a clean surface with flour. Divide the dough in half. Refrigerate half of the dough and roll out the other half of the dough to 1/8-inch thick. Using a 4-inch cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out 10 circles of dough. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Spoon 2 generous tablespoons of the filling into the center of each pastry circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Brush the edges with the egg wash and then fold the dough to enclose the filling and form a semi-circle. Tightly seal the edges by crimping with the tines of a fork. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- For the sauce: Preheat a grill pan to high heat. Grill the tomatillos on all sides until charred, then remove and cool. When cool enough to handle, coarsely chop the tomatillos.
- Coat a large saute pan with oil and set over medium heat. Add the garlic, jalapenos and half of the cilantro, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatillos, season with salt and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the lime zest and juice and the remaining cilantro. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet.
- Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with some egg wash. Using a fork, prick a few holes in the tops of the empanadas for the steam to escape. Bake until golden brown, 30 minutes.
- Serve hot with the charred tomatillo salsa.
CHILI PORK EMPANADAS WITH AVOCADO DIPPING SAUCE
Provided by Aaron McCargo Jr.
Categories appetizer
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Add the oil to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Season the pork with chili powder, salt and pepper, to taste, and quickly sear for 2 minutes. Remove from the pan to a bowl and cool slightly. Add the scallions, cilantro, chipotles and queso fresco and mix well.
- Roll out the pie rounds on a lightly floured surface and using a 3-inch biscuit cutter, punch out rounds of dough. Put about 2 tablespoons of the filling, off-center, on each dough round. Brush the edges of the dough with beaten egg. Fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork. Arrange them on a half sheet tray lined with parchment paper and brush the tops with remaining beaten egg. Bake until nicely browned, about 13 to 15 minutes. Remove the empanadas from the oven and arrange them on a platter. Serve with the dipping sauce.
- Dipping Sauce:
- In the same pan the pork was cooked in, add the butter. Turn the heat to high and add the shallots. Cook the shallots until nicely caramelized, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the shallots, avocado, olive oil, red wine vinegar and sour cream to a blender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and puree until smooth and velvety. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with the empanadas.
DOUGH FOR PORK EMPANADAS WITH THYME
Use this dough to make our Pork Empanadas with Thyme.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Pie & Tarts Recipes
Yield Makes enough dough for 8 empanadas
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a food processor, pulse all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), baking powder, and coarse salt. Add minced fresh sage and thyme; pulse until combined. Add cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces; pulse until mixture is the texture of coarse meal, with a few pea-size pieces butter remaining. Add 1 cup ice water; pulse until dough is crumbly but holds together when squeezed (add up to 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed). Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead just until dough comes together, 4 to 5 times.
ATHENIAN RANCH PORK EMPANADAS #RSC
Ready, Set, Cook! Hidden Valley Contest Entry. Refrigerated pizza dough makes a conveniently delicious crust for these Athenian Ranch Pork Empanadas. Filled with ground pork, red bell pepper, shallots, artichokes, parmesan cheese, feta cheese, Greek yogurt, and Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing-A combination that will throw a delicious Greek Party in your mouth! Easy to prepare and fast to cook!!!!
Provided by nelsonjs2
Categories Weeknight
Time 35m
Yield 6 Empanadas, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F Line 2 cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper; Set Aside.
- In a medium nonstick skillet, heat one tablespoon extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add fresh ground pork and cook until pork is fully cooked; about 6-8 minutes.
- On a clean work surface, unroll refrigerated pizza dough. Roll or press dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 6 equal squares. In large bowl combine pork, chopped red bell pepper, shallots, artichoke hearts, greek seasoning, fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, feta cheese, cayenne pepper, Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing, kalamata olives, 1/2 teaspoon Sicilian sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper. Place 2 tablespoons ranch pork mixture on center of each pizza dough square. Fold each pizza dough square in half diagonally to make triangle; press edges to seal with tines of fork. Place on prepared cookie sheets. Spray empanadas with olive oil cooking spray, and sprinkle with the remaining Sicilian Sea Salt and cracked black pepper. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve Athenian Ranch Pork Empanadas with Remaining Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing for dipping. Serves: 6, prep time: 20 minutes, cooking time: 15 minutes.
Tips:
- Use a sharp knife to cut the pork into small pieces, this will help it cook evenly.
- Don't overcook the pork, otherwise it will become tough.
- Feel free to add other ingredients to the filling, such as cooked vegetables, cheese, or different spices.
- If you don't have empanada dough, you can use wonton wrappers or puff pastry instead.
- To make sure the empanadas are cooked through, fry them until they are golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Conclusion:
Pork empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are also a great party appetizer or snack. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily make them at home. So next time you're looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, give pork empanadas a try!
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