Argentine Empanadas- making the shells

Empanadas

Empanadas are a traditional small pie (usually filled with meat) found in many latin- American countries. I will be posting recipies for ones traditionally from Argentina. Here is the recipe I use (from: http://laylita.com/recipes/2008/02/06/how-to-make-empanada-dough/) to make my shells for the empanadas. The basic filling, which doesn't need a recipe is ham and cheese (mozarella cheese). The meat and chicken filling will be in later recipies I post.

How to Make Empanada Shells

Making empanada dough is not as hard as it sounds, especially if you have a food processor, and even if you don’t it is still pretty easy because the dough should not be overworked and requires minimal kneading. Also, these days it is very easy to find the empanada discs already made (frozen) in Latin grocery store, and even though I was skeptical at first they are actually quite good, but it also always fun to have them homemade and you can also customize the dough by adding spices, herbs, etc that will complement or contrast with the fillings.

Ingredients for 15 medium size or 25 small empanada discs:

3 cups all purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

6 oz unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), cold and cut into 12 pieces

1 egg

4-5 tbs water

Preparation:

1. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor.
2. Add the butter, egg and water until a clumpy dough forms.
3. Form a ball and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut out round disc shapes for empanadas (use round molds or a small plate).
5. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer to use later.