Beef Empañadas

Ingredients for Beef Empañadas

• 2 hard-boiled large eggs

• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped

• 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

• 350g beef mince chuck

• 2 tablespoons raisins

• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped pimiento-stuffed olives

• 1 (400g) can whole tomatoes in juice, drained, reserving 2 tablespoons juice, and chopped

• 1 package frozen empanada pastry disks, thawed

• About 950ml vegetable oil

• a deep-fat thermometer

How to make Beef Empañadas

Cut each egg crosswise into 10 thin slices.

Cook onion in olive oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until softened. Add garlic, cumin, and oregano and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in beef and cook, breaking up lumps with a fork, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.

Add raisins, olives, 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoons pepper, and tomatoes with reserved juice, then cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced but mixture is still moist, about 5 minutes. Spread on a plate to cool.

Preheat oven to 93°C with rack in middle.

Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on a dampened work surface (to help keep plastic in place), then roll out an empanada disk on plastic wrap to measure about 6 inches. Place 45ml meat mixture on disk and top with 2 slices of egg. Moisten edges of disk with water and fold over to form a semicircle, then crimp with a fork. Make more empanadas in same manner.

Heat 3/4 inch vegetable oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium heat until it registers 182°C on thermometer. Fry empanadas, 2 or 3 at a time, turning once, until crisp and golden, 4 to 6 minutes per batch.

Transfer to a shallow baking pan and keep warm in oven. Return oil to 182°C between batches.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.