PUERTO RICAN FRIED MEAT PIES (EMPANADAS)

 

PUERTO RICAN FRIED MEAT PIES (EMPANADAS)

Dough:

3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup peanut or vegetable oil
1 cup warm water
1/2 teaspoon annato seed (optional for color)

Filling:

1 lb. browned ground beef or cooked shredded chicken
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/8 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/8 c. sliced green olives
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4-1/2 jalapeno, minced (optional)
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1 pkg. Goya Sazon with annato

For cooking:

1 cup vegetable oil for frying.

DOUGH: Combine all the dry ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer; add all wet ingredients. Mix for about 3 minutes until well combined. Dough will form.Remove dough and knead for about 3 minutes, let sit wrapped in plastic-wrap for another 15 minutes.
Divide into 12 pieces, then roll into 4 inch circles.
FILLING: Brown ground beef (drain excess grease), or sauté shredded chicken in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add all the ingredients and cook for an additional 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Let cool.
COOKING: Preheat the vegetable oil in a frying pan at about a medium temperature. Place about 2 tablespoons of the filling in the dough and seal the edges with a fork.
Deep fry for about 5 minutes on each side, then place on dish lined with paper-towels. Press another layer of paper towels over the top.
Serve. Makes 12 Empanadas.