Empanadas~ with Beef Filling~

Empanada;

is a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried in many countries. Empanadas are made by folding dough or bread with stuffing consisting of a variety of meat, cheese, huitlacoche, vegetables, fruits, and others.

On september 18th we celebrate our Independace Day in Chile. It's a big, big celebration that lasts the entire week and It's one of the things we miss the most from living away. 

There are a lot of traditions during this week but what's most important is the food. 

Here is just one of the things that we eat around this time; Empanadas. This are amazing and so versatile, the tipes of different filling are endless and all delicious, but this is the tradicional one. 

They make for a very special lunch on a Sunday, too.

If you do try them, I hope you enjoy. If you have tried them before, this a very good recipe :) They take time so be patient, they're worth it :P

Empanadas

For the filling (or as we call it, Pino)

2 pounds of ground beef
3 or 4 medium sized onions chopped in small cubes
1 cup of beef broth
2 tablespoons paprika or merken
1/2 teaspooon griund cumin
2 tablespoons all purpose flour

*20 black olives
*40 raisins
*5 hard boiled eggs (cut into fourths)

For the dough

2 pounds all purpose flour
1 cup warm water
1 cup milk
4 egg yolks
6.5 oz shortening (melted)
1 tablespoon salt

Start with the filling (and it's better if you do it the day before);
1- On a large sauce pan heat some vegetable oil and cook the ground beef until lightly browned (About 10 min) then add the condiments, merken, cumin and salt and pepper.
2- Add the broth and once it simmers let it cook on low heat from 30 to 40 minutes. After that, add the chopped onions and cook on medium heat until onions are cooked and soft, for about 30 minutes.
3- Lastly, add the flour, cook for a couple more minutes and set aside. Once it's cool down, keep refrigirated until the next day.

The Dough:
1- On a large cup or small bowl, mix the water, milk and salt (stir so the salt disolves completely)
2- On a stand mixer with the paddle or a bowl, mix the flour and egg yolks , then the melted shorttening, this will form crumbs.
3- On the stand mixer change the paddle for the dough hook and on low speed, or if in a bowl use your hands, and add the mixture of milk and water until the dough is flexible and soft. *If needed add more water.

Once everything is ready, divide the dough in 20 pieces and cover with a moist cloth. Work with one at a time, with a rolling pin roll out until thin and cut edges to make a circle. Put 2 tablespoons of pino (filling) , two raisins, one olive and one piece of egg. (If you hate raisind and/or olives ~like me~ they're opcional ;) )

Put sime water on the borders to make it sticky and fold to make a semi circle and put some presure to make sure the filling won't come out. Then make the folds and paint with a mixture of egg yolk and a few drops of milk (this will give a golden finish on top). Put them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Cook in the oven at 350ºF for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden and delicious :)

Enjoy~