Dough Empanadas
Empanada dough is a versatile and popular preparation in Latin American cuisine. It is made from flour, fat (such as butter or oil), water and salt, and is used to wrap a variety of fillings, from meat to vegetables. Its texture can be crunchy or soft, depending on the recipe and country of origin.
Ingredients:
• 2 cups of wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening or cold butter
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup cold water
Make sure you have all the ingredients ready and the work surface clean before preparing the dough for the empanadas.
Preparation:
1. In a large bowl, mix the wheat flour and salt.
2. Add the cold shortening or butter in small cubes to the flour mixture. You can use a fork or your fingers to mix the butter into the flour until the mixture has a sandy texture and the butter is well distributed.
3. In another small bowl, beat the egg and cold water until well combined.
4. Pour the egg and water mixture into the flour bowl. Mix everything with a wooden spoon or spatula until a homogeneous dough is formed.
5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.
6. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough chill and be easier to handle.
Once you have the dough ready, you can use it to make your favorite filled empanadas. You just have to roll it out with a rolling pin until you get the desired thickness and cut out circles to form the empanadas. Fill them with whatever you prefer and then close and seal them before baking according to the recipe you are following. Enjoy your homemade empanadas!
