Empanaditas (pork Turnovers)

8 ts Chilled margarine
3/4 c All-purpose flour
3 tb Ice water
2 oz Cooked ground pork, crumbled (OR finely chopped cooked ham)
2 oz Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 ts Prepared spicy brown mustard
1 ds Crushed red pepper
1 Egg separated
1 tb Skim milk

Paprika Garnish: red bell pepper strips and cilantro leaves

In small bowl, with pastry blender or 2 knives, cut margarine into flour until mixture resembles corn meal; sprinkle with ice water and, using fork, mix to form soft dough. Roll dough between 2 sheets of wax paper to form rectangle about 1/4 inch thick; remove paper and use 2-inch diameter plain or fluted cookie cutter to cut dough into rounds. Roll scraps of dough and continue cutting until all dough has been used (should yield 24 rounds). Combine pork (or ham), cheese, mustard, and red pepper in small bowl and set aside. Preheat oven to 375.

Beat egg white lightly and brush an equal amount onto each pastry round. Spoon an equal amount of the meat mixture (about 1/2 rounded teaspoon) onto center of each round; fold pastry over, turnover-fashion, to enclose filling. Press edges of dough together to seal. Transfer turnovers to nonstick cookie sheet. Add milk to egg yolk and beat lightly; brush an equal amount of mixture over each turnover and sprinkle each with a dash of paprika. Bake until turnovers are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to warmed serving tray; garnish with red pepper strips and cilantro. Chili sauce or salsa can be served as a dipping sauce.

Makes 8 servings of 3 turnovers each.

Printer friendly version: Empanaditas (pork Turnovers)

Click Back to return here.