Gourmet Pastelillos (Meat Pies)
Description
Pastelillos are deep-fried meat pies stuffed with a savory filling of lean ground beef, green olives, and onion seasoned with sofrito and sazòn.
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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1 pound extra-lean ground beef
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1/2 onion, diced
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1/4 cup tomato sauce
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6 large pimento-stuffed olives, diced
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2 tablespoons sofrito (such as Goya®)
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1 (1 5/12 ounce) package sazon seasoning with coriander and achiote (such as Goya®)
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2 small garlic cloves, minced and crushed
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1/2 teaspoon oregano
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2 (14 ounce) packages frozen empanada dough (such as Goya® discos)
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vegetable oil for frying
Directions
1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in hot oil until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in onion, tomato sauce, olives, sofrito, sazòn, garlic, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and cook until mixture is thickened, about 15 minutes.
2
Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon meat mixture into the middle of a disco. Moisten the edges, fold dough to form a half-moon, and press with a fork to seal. Repeat with remaining meat mixture and discos.
3
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Working in batches, fry pastelillos in hot oil until golden brown and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels before serving.