Empanadas Salteñas

Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 servings

Description

This delicious empanadas salteñas receta (recipe) is a traditional beef empanada with ground beef, hard-boiled eggs, and potatoes that are to die for.

Ingredients

6 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vegetable oil, or as needed
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup salted butter
2 medium onions, chopped
2 stalks green onions, finely chopped
1 1/2 medium red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
2/3 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
3 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

Directions

1 Combine water and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat and warm through, stirring until salt is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes.
2 Combine sifted flour and melted margarine in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until crumbly. Add salt water gradually to the food processor and pulse until a soft dough ball forms that easily separates from the edge of the bowl. Add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, only if needed. Press dough into a ball and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and grease with vegetable oil. Set aside.
4 Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add cubed potatoes and cook until soft, 8 to 10 minutes.
5 Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onions and green onions until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add red peppers and cook for 5 more minutes. Add ground beef and stir with a wooden spoon until fully browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, and paprika. Remove from heat.
6 Drain potatoes and add to filling. Toss in chopped eggs and let filling cool down for a few minutes.
7 Remove pastry from the fridge and knead gently on a floured surface. Divide dough in half and roll out each piece to 1/8-inch thickness.
8 Cut out 3-inch circles with a pastry cutter or sharp knife and wet the edges lightly with water. Add 1 large tablespoon of filling in the center of each disc. Fold pastry over, press edges together, and seal with a fork. Transfer empanadas to the prepared baking sheet.
9 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool just a little before serving.