How to Make a Delicious Chilean-Style Empanada
Empanadas are a traditional Chilean pastry filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables. Here’s a simple recipe to make a delicious Chilean-style empanada:
Ingredients:
– 2 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1/4 cup of vegetable shortening
– 1/4 cup of warm water
– Filling of your choice (e.g., beef, chicken, cheese, or vegetables)
Instructions:
1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the shortening and use a pastry blender or your fingers to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a dough forms.
2. Knead the dough: Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Rest the dough: Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
4. Prepare the filling: Choose your desired filling and prepare it according to your recipe.
5. Assemble the empanada: Divide the dough into 8-10 equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a thin circle. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle.
6. Fold and seal: Fold the dough over the filling, forming a half-moon shape, and press the edges together to seal the empanada.
7. Bake or fry: Brush the tops with egg wash and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or fry in hot oil until golden brown.
Tips:
– Use a variety of fillings to suit your taste.
– Make sure to seal the empanada properly to prevent filling from escaping during baking or frying.
– Serve hot and enjoy!
Vocabulary:
– Empanada: a traditional Chilean pastry
– Shortening: a type of fat used in baking
– Knead: to mix dough until it becomes smooth and elastic
– Rest: to let the dough sit for a period of time
– Assemble: to put together the empanada
– Seal: to close the empanada by pressing the edges together