How to Make Spanish Beef Empanadas
Step #1: Sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl. Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry blender to work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. I made these ground beef empanadas on a Sunday, and they were a hit with my husband while he watched football. We had leftovers, so I enjoyed them for breakfast during the week. The empanada dough needs an hour to rest in the fridge while you prepare the filling, and from start to finish, it takes about 2 hours. Totally worth it, though! Step #2: In a small bowl, combine the egg, water, and vinegar and beat together with a whisk. Pour the egg mixture into the flour and stir gently until it is incorporated. Step #3: Dust a flat surface with a little flour and leave some on your hands. Grab the dough out of the bowl and shape it into a ball. Place it on the floured surface and knead gently a few times. Pat it into a flattened ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and put it in the fridge for one hour. Step #4: While it is resting, make the filling. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until it softens (about 4 minutes). Then, add in the red pepper, lower the heat to medium, and cook for another five minutes. Add in the canned tomatoes and stir to combine. Step #5: Add the lean ground beef to the pan and use a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Stir in the spices and cilantro. Once the beef has cooked all the way through, stir in the beans and cheese. Taste the mixture and then add salt and pepper to your liking. Stir in one of the beaten eggs and turn the heat down to low. Continue stirring until the egg no longer looks translucent (about two minutes or so). Remove from heat. Step #6: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it out with a rolling pin on a floured surface until it is about ¼ inch thick. Cut out roughly 4-inch round circles in the dough (use biscuit cutters or a small bowl turned upside down). Place 1-2 tablespoons of filling in the center and fold the circle into a half-moon shape. Use the tines of a fork to pinch the edges together to seal the empanada closed. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Continue to do this with the remaining dough and filling. Step #7: Once you’ve formed all of your empanadas, brush them with the egg wash. Bake the empanadas for approximately 25 minutes until golden brown. To reheat refrigerated empanadas, bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. For frozen empanadas, bake directly from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.
