Emmy – Like the Award

Here we go… the first recipe post. One of my many passions is cooking. I am by no means a chef but I have learned some tips and tricks and yummy recipes along the way. I come from a long line of cooks. I have seen beautiful recipes come to life. I find cooking and baking therapeutic. As my dear Mama says “cooking is fun, you have to be able to take risks!” After working on business all day, going into my kitchen is sometimes the best way to take my mind off things. I love trying new ways of making dishes and exploring recipes. The first recipe I will be sharing is not one I created all on my own but one I tweaked along the way to perfect it. This recipe is Empanadas. It is a family staple in our household and I find it worth the steps to make it. Now don’t be scared off when you see the prep time. I promise you it is worth it! The easiest way to get this recipe done quickly is to prep all the ingredients first. This means chopping the vegetables, pulling together the spices, and gathering all necessary tools. Trust me, this is worth the steps, in the end.

Below you will find all the details of this recipe. I even included a shopping list link where you can simply add to your cart all the ingredients and have everything at your doorstep within no time. This is through Instacart. If you are new to Instacart, this is the best tool for anyone that doesn’t have time to go to the store. I find it saves me from spending extra money too. So if you are like me and want to get things done quickly, here is $30 off on your next trip with Instacart. Use code: EGRIMES1B716E Terms Apply

CHEESY GROUND BEEF EMPANADAS

Cheesy ground beef empanadas are the perfect hand held dinner or lunch. Serve this with rice, a side of sour cream and salsa for a family friendly weeknight meal.

yield: 10

prep time: 45 MINUTES

cook time: 20 MINUTES

total time: 1 HOUR 5 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced (optional)
• 1/2 bell pepper, diced
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
• 2 refrigerated pie crusts (roll and cut approx. 4″ circles)
• 1 egg

Shopping List (Instacart code: EGRIMES1B716E)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, crumbling the beef as you go. Add the garlic, onion, jalapeno (optional), and pepper, and saute until softened. Drain off any excess oil, then season the beef with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce, oregano, paprika, and chili powder and cook until the mixture is slightly thickened and heated through, 2-3 minutes. Add additional salt if necessary, then remove from heat. To make it extra cheesy, I add a 1/2 cup of cheese here. This is optional.
4. Roll the pie crusts out on a lightly floured surface or piece of wax paper so that they’re slightly larger and thinner than the traditional pie crust. Use a bowl that’s about 4-5 inches in diameter to cut circles out of the pie dough. (see my notes about the bowl I use) Put about 1-2 heaping Tablespoons of the beef mixture on one-half of each of the circles. Sprinkle with a small handful of cheese. Fold the other half over the beef, then use a fork or crimp to seal the edges. If you’re having trouble getting them to stick, put a little water along the edge with your finger.
5. Gather up any scraps and re-roll and cut circles until no dough remains. You should be able to get 12-14 empanadas, I sometimes can get close to 16-18 depending on how thin your dough is. Place all of the empanadas on the sheet pan. Whisk together the egg with a Tablespoon of water and brush the tops of the empanadas. Place in the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden and crisp on the edges.

Nutrition Information:

 YIELD: 10 SERVING SIZE: 1
Amount Per Serving: CALORIES: 367 TOTAL FAT: 23g SATURATED FAT: 9g TRANS FAT: 1g UNSATURATED FAT: 11g CHOLESTEROL: 116mg SODIUM: 387mg CARBOHYDRATES: 12g FIBER: 2g SUGAR: 6g PROTEIN: 27g

Please note nutritional information for my recipes is calculated by a third party service and provided as a courtesy to my readers. For the most accurate calculation, I always recommend running the numbers yourself with the specific products you use.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• Prep is key in making this a smooth flow. I find putting together all the ingredients first and then do the steps you will be successful with this recipe.
• When cutting the dough into 4″ circles, I use a small white souffle dish that is almost the size of 4″ in depth. Here is what I use dish flip the dish facing down so that it cuts the dough. Trust me it works.
• To make ahead of time, assemble the empanadas completely, omitting the egg wash. Place on the prepared baking sheet and cover with saran wrap. They can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
• To freeze, bake the empanadas, then allow to cool. Wrap in saran wrap then place in a ziplock bag. Reheat from frozen at 400 degrees, for about 20 minutes.

FINAL NOTE

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does. No matter your skill set, when it comes to making food, following instructions on recipes is all you need to know. I know, I know, sounds silly. Yes, there are some techniques of course that are needed for making certain recipes. Believe me, I am no Julia Childs. With the chaos of life, I try to find recipes that are easy, fun, or worth the effort to make. In reality, you just need to know how to manage your time while making a dish. I find the best way to cook, bake, whatever recipe you are making is by prepping the ingredients. Prepare all your needed ingredients in advance, and your process of making your dish becomes a walk in the park. I say this from my own experience. An added advantage is clean-up, as you prep ahead, you don’t have as big of a mess. Make a dish with your heart. I fully believe a meal can come out perfectly if you make it with your heart. Food is affection! ❤️ Bon Appétite!