Empanada or stuffed bread is one of the favourite snacks or merienda of the Filipinos. It is cheap and easy to make yet very delicious and filling. Many variations of this pastry have been made among different parts of the country and all of them are unique and special in their own way. Here is a simple and easy recipe of the classic Pork Empanada that you can try.
INGREDIENTS:
For the pastry:
- 6 cups All-purpose flour
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 cups butter
- ¾ cup cold water
- cooking oil for frying
For the filling:
- 4 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 white onions, minced
- 1 kilo ground pork
- ½ tsp. fine salt
- ⅛ tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 cup green peas
- 2 medium size potatoes, cut into small cubes
- 1 carrot, cut into small cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- ½ cup water
- 3 tsp. sugar
HOW TO MAKE:
Pork Filling:
- In a pan, heat oil and sauté the garlic and onions until cooked.
- Add in ground pork and stir cook for a few minutes.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Stir cook for about 1 minute then add the potatoes, carrots and water.
- Simmer for at least 5 minutes and stir to cook it evenly.
- Add in the peas, bell peppers, and sugar. Stir to mix the ingredients.
- Cook until the liquid has been reduced or almost evaporated. Set aside to cool.
Pastry Dough:
- Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix the dry ingredients well.
- Add in the butter to the dry ingredients and mix well until the butter is incorporated in the dry ingredients.
- Add the water and knead until a smooth dough is formed.
- Grab about 4 tablespoons of dough and form it into a ball. Do the same for the rest of the dough.
- Put in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. In the meantime, prepare a clean surface and dust it with flour to prevent the dough from sticking to the surface.
- Get a piece of dough and press it on the surface to flatten it.
- Using a rolling pin, flatten it further until thickness become at least half a centimeter thick.
- Place about 4 tablespoons of the filling on the center of the flattened dough.
- Fold the dough and seal it by folding the edges.
- In a deep frying pan, heat oil and deep fry the empanadas until the empanadas turns golden brown.
- Drain excess oil then serve.
IMAGE: honestcooking.com
