Pork Picadillo Empanadas
Need something different and delicious to take to your next potluck or picnic? Pork Picadillo Empanadas are a great finger appetizer best served at room temperature which makes them the perfect potluck or picnic food. A Spicy pork filling tucked into a tender Masa Harina infused crust - so easy - so portable - so delish
Ingredients
- For the Filling
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 ounces ground pork tenderloin grind your own, or use your food processor to pulse it into a grind, or buy very lean ground pork
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped green apple I used Granny Smith
- 1 jalapeño or serrano (check for heat) minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin powder
- ¾ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ cup golden raisins pour boiling water over and let sit for about 5 minutes. This will plump them up and remove some of their sweetness
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ½ cup chopped toasted blanched almonds blanching is removing the skin. I buy mine with the skin already removed and with them already toasted. If you have to do this step, put them into boiling water for 5 minutes. Let cool then remove the skins. Bake the almonds in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until toasted
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Dough
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Masa Harina corn tortilla mix, found in most grocery stores and in ALL Mexican markets
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup your favorite fat melted (use half butter half oil, all oil, or all butter. I used half melted butter, half oil)
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon water
- 2 large eggs 1 is going into the dough the other is going to be for a wash
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onions, apple, pork, jalapeño (or Serrano or both) and garlic, cook, stirring often, until the pork is cooked. Add the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, and some salt and pepper. Stir until well incorporated; add the raisins and lime juice and cook until the lime juice has reduced to not being there. Remove from heat; stir in the almonds and sour cream. Allow to cool.
- For the Dough: Butter 2 large baking sheets, line with parchment paper, or use a silicon mat.
- Heat oven to 375°F. (190.6ºC)
- In a large bowl mix together the flour, masa, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted fat. In a small bowl whisk together 1 of the eggs with ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon water, add to the flour mixture. Knead in the bowl until a smooth, pliable dough forms, about 2 minutes. Working with half the dough at a time, roll out on a floured surface to ⅛th inch thickness. Use a 3 ¾ inch biscuit cutter to cut dough into rounds. Reroll dough scraps and cut out additional rounds; you should get about a dozen per half of the dough. Continue with the remaining dough.
- Whisk the remaining egg in a small bowl to blend. Place about 1 ½ tablespoons filling in the center of each dough round, lightly brush the edges with the egg. Fold over, lift up and gently press the dough together over the filling. Make sure to close them well. Place on prepared sheets. Brush the empanada tops with the remaining egg wash and bake for about 25 minutes, or until nicely browned. Serve with sauce of your choice.
Notes
LindySez: You can prepare the filling a day in advance if desired, refrigerate until needed. If you prefer, you can make the whole empanada a day in advance, cover the baking sheets with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove covering before cooking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 servingSodium: 170mgFiber: 1gCholesterol: 24mgCalories: 140kcalPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gFat: 7gProtein: 5gCarbohydrates: 14g
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