# Sweet and Spicy Empanadas: A Culinary Journey of Flavors
In the realm of appetizers, empanadas stand tall, captivating taste buds with their crispy exteriors and delectable fillings. These turnovers, popular in Latin American cuisine, offer a symphony of flavors that tantalize the senses. Join us on a culinary adventure as we explore the scrumptious recipes featured in this article:
1. **Classic Beef Empanadas:** Experience the quintessential empanada, filled with tender beef, aromatic spices, and a touch of heat. The savory filling is encased in a golden crust that shatters with each bite, releasing a burst of flavors that will leave you craving more.
2. **Chicken and Cheese Empanadas:** A delightful twist on the classic, these empanadas feature succulent chicken and a gooey blend of cheese, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors. The crispy crust complements the creamy filling, making each bite an unforgettable experience.
3. **Sweet Potato and Black Bean Empanadas:** This vegetarian delight offers a unique flavor profile. Sweet potatoes and black beans come together in a harmonious blend, enhanced by a touch of spice. The crispy crust provides a delightful contrast to the soft and flavorful filling.
4. **Apple and Cinnamon Empanadas:** Embark on a sweet adventure with these delectable pastries. Tender apples and aromatic cinnamon filling burst with flavor in every bite. The golden crust adds a touch of crispness, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
5. **Guava and Cheese Empanadas:** These empanadas combine the tropical sweetness of guava with the tangy sharpness of cheese, creating a captivating flavor combination. The flaky crust perfectly complements the vibrant filling, making each bite a delightful treat.
Indulge in the culinary delights of these sweet and spicy empanadas. With their diverse fillings and crispy exteriors, these turnovers promise an explosion of flavors that will satisfy every palate. Grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and let's embark on a delicious journey together.
SPICY SWEET POTATO EMPANADAS
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line one sheet pan with aluminum foil and another with parchment paper.
- Rub the sweet potatoes with olive oil and prick them all over with the tines of a fork. Place the potatoes on the foil-lined sheet pan. Bake for about 1 hour, until very tender when pierced with a knife. Lower the oven to 375 degrees.
- Allow the potatoes to cool enough to handle, then peel and discard the skins, placing the potatoes in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the sour cream, butter, maple syrup, chile powder, orange zest, orange juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper and mix well. Set aside.
- Unfold one sheet of the cold puff pastry on a floured cutting board. Roll the sheet into a 12-inch square with a rolling pin. With a sharp paring knife, cut four 5-inch circles from the pastry, using a dish as a guide and discarding the scraps. Place a heaping soup spoon of filling on each circle, leaving a 1-inch border. Brush the edges of the circles with the egg wash and fold over, making half circles. Crimp the edges together with the tines of a fork. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry. Place on the parchment-lined sheet pan. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with the sea salt and pepper. Make 2 small slits in each empanada to allow steam to escape. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until puffed and browned. Serve hot.
SPICY CHICKEN EMPANADAS
Steps:
- For the empanada dough: Mix all empanada ingredients in a mixer. Let dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
- For the filling: Bake the chicken breast until fully cooked. Put breast meat in a food processor and pulse until chopped (you don't want very small pieces). Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil. Add onions, green and red bell peppers, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, red pepper, oregano and basil. Cook until onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Pour in chipotle sauce and stir. Finally add tomato sauce. Allow filling to cool.
- To form the empanadas, knead the dough. Roll the dough out by hand or with a commercial sheeter. Cut out circles of dough. Place a dough circle in an empanada mold if you have one, but it's not necessary; fill with chicken mixture. Wet the edges of the dough with your fingers. Close the mold to seal, or fold dough over filling and use the tines of a fork to seal the edges. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Use a pastry brush to paint empanadas with an even coat of egg wash.
- Preheat a convection oven to 450 degrees F, or regular oven to 400 degrees F. Place empanadas on greased baking sheets. Bake for 3 minutes in convection oven or 10 to 15 minutes in regular oven.
SWEET AND SPICY EMPANADAS
These are more sweet than spicy and there are a few surprise ingredients that really make these little beef bites quite delicious! My husband is a "dipper" and created the tomato-based sauce that perfectly complements these non-traditional empanadas. The recipe makes 24 bite-sized appetizers, or you can make them twice as big and eat them for dinner. :)
Provided by Al Al
Categories Vegetable
Time 45m
Yield 24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- For the sauce:
- Combine all ingredients and whisk till smooth.
- For the empanadas:.
- Take the pastry sheets out of the freezer 40 minutes before your empanadas will be ready to be filled.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Peel the potatoes and dice them fairly small. Cover them with water and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or till tender.
- Meanwhile, mince the onion and place in a large bowl with the beef, all the sugar and spices, and the milk. Knead with your hands until the mixture is very soft.
- Cook the meat mixture in a skillet over medium heat until the beef is browned.
- Drain the potatoes and mix them in with the meat. Drain any excess fat. (The potatoes should soak most of it up).
- Cut the pastry into 24 equal rectangles and divide the mixture between them.
- Divide the cream cheese into 24 portions as well and squish it on top of the meat so it evenly covers.
- Fold the pastry over and seal the edges by folding or pinching.
- Place on baking sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until puffy and golden brown.
- Remove from oven, place on serving plate, and dip in the sauce if you desire!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 181.6, Fat 12.3, SaturatedFat 4.1, Cholesterol 14.9, Sodium 205.7, Carbohydrate 13.9, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 2.5, Protein 4.2
SWEET EMPANADAS DOUGH RECIPE
If you are looking for delicious Empanaditas, you can not go wrong with this Sweet Empanadas dough recipe as your base! Simple to make and deliciously sweet, be sure to make a double batch as they'll disappear quickly!
Provided by Ana Frias
Categories Dessert
Time 55m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Whisk the flour, kosher salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl,
- Add the butter. Using your hands or a pastry cutter, work in the butter until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbles.
- Add 1 egg, sugar, vanilla extract and 4 tablespoons of water.
- With your clean hands knead the mixture a few times in the bowl just until you can gather the dough together.
- Transfer the dough to a clean surface and continue to knead the dough adding two tablespoons of water at a time (about 8 to 10 tablespoons total). Note: The dough is ready when it no longer sticks to the counter and it does not look dry.
- Continue to knead about 3 to 5 minutes; then form dough into a disk, wrap with plastic, and chill for at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 empanada, Calories 170 kcal, Carbohydrate 20 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 93 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, Cholesterol 19 mg, UnsaturatedFat 4 g
SPICY-SWEET BEEF EMPANADAS (MEXICO)
Who doesn't love a warm empanada?!?! These savory turnovers make great appetizers because you can prep them ahead of time and freeze for up to a month....and they still taste fantastic!
Provided by FolkDiva
Categories Meat
Time 35m
Yield 8 empanadas, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F In a skillet over medium heat, brown the meat and onion. Pour off excess fat, then add garlic and sherry. Boil down until the liquid is almost completely evaporated.
- Add cinnamon, cloves, cumin and salt/pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, sugar and vinegar and cook over medium heat until the tomatoes have reduced to a thick sauce. Stir in the cilantro and almonds and set aside.
- Roll out puff pastry into a thin layer on a lightly floured counter. Cut the pastries into 8 six inch circles. Place a tablespoon or two of the filling in the middle of one circle. Brush the edge of the pastry with beaten egg, then fold in half and press the edges together to seal.
- Press the tines of a fork along the sealed edges of the pastry to make the seal more secure. Prick the top of the empanada with the fork, then place on a baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg. Repeat with the remaining pastry circles and filling.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes, or until light golden brown on the outside and hot in the center. Serve immediately with your choice of garnishes! Enjoy!
Tips:
- Prep your ingredients: Before you start cooking, make sure all your ingredients are prepped and measured. This will help you save time and ensure that your empanadas are cooked evenly.
- Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife will make it easier to cut your dough and prevent it from tearing.
- Don't overwork the dough: Overworking the dough will make it tough. Mix it just until it comes together, then let it rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- Roll out the dough thinly: The thinner the dough, the crispier your empanadas will be. Roll it out to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
- Add plenty of filling: Don't be shy with the filling! The more filling you add, the more delicious your empanadas will be.
- Seal the empanadas well: Make sure to seal the empanadas well so that the filling doesn't leak out. You can use a fork to crimp the edges or fold them over and press them together.
- Fry the empanadas until golden brown: Fry the empanadas in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy. This will take about 2-3 minutes per side.
Conclusion:
Sweet and spicy empanadas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. They are easy to make and can be filled with a variety of ingredients, making them a great option for any occasion. Whether you like them sweet or spicy, or somewhere in between, there's an empanada recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for something new and exciting to cook, give sweet and spicy empanadas a try!
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