Empanadas

Empanadas

Colombian empanadas are a popular snack that are served in many Colombian restaurants in the US. Empanadas in my family is a very typical snack to have with a soda that is called Colombiana.  But we don't have then very often. It is only during the holidays when we all get together to make them along with Bunuelos and natilla. I asked my mother if she would have empanadas when she was little and she told me that when she was in Colombia it was a given that before dinner everyone was able to have one empanada. My grandmother made them fresh every week.

How to make it:

• 1 ½ cups precooked yellow cornmeal
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ½ tablespoon Goya season with azafran 
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• 2 cups peeled and diced white potatoes
• 1 chicken or vegetable bouillon tablet
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped white onions
• 1 cup chopped tomato
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• 1 chopped garlic clove
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoon chopped red bell pepper
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ pound ground pork and beef

Vegetable oil for frying 
Lime and aji for serving

How to make it:
Step1: Prepare the dough  by Place the masarepa in a large bowl. Add the Goya sazon and salt and stir to mix. Add water, oil and mix to form dough. Pat the dough into a ball and knead for 2 minutes or until smooth. Cover with plastic and set aside for 20 minutes.
Step2: Meanwhile, to make the filling, cook the potatoes in a pot with water and the bouillon tablet for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Drain and gently mash the potatoes. Set aside.
Step3: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy skillet. Add the onion and cook over medium-low heat stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, green onions, garlic, bell pepper, cilantro, salt and black pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes.
Step4: Add the ground pork and beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, for 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture is fairly dry.
Step5: Transfer the meat mixture to the mashed potatoes bowl and mix well to combine.
Stept6: Break small portions of the dough, about 1 ½ tablespoons each one, and form each portion into a ball by rolling between the palms of your hands.
Step7: Place the balls of dough between two pieces of plastic and roll each out very thinly to form a circle. Remove the top plastic and place 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center of each.
Step8: Then using the plastic underneath, fold the dough over to enclose the filling, forming a half circle. Tightly seal the edges by crimping with the tines of a fork.
Step9: Fill a large pot with vegetable oil and heat over medium heat to 360° F.
Step10: Carefully place 3 or 4 empanadas at the time in the heated oil and fry for about 2 minutes until golden on all sides.
Step11: Using a slotted spoon transfer the empanadas to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve with aji and lime on the side.