eMmmmpanadas!

Our favorite food here is definitely empanadas (little meat pies). Here's a recipe I found online that sounds about right.

Empanadas de Carne

• 12-15 empanada shells*
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 cup green olives, chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
• salt and white pepper to taste
• butter or egg wash (egg and water)

1. Defrost the empanada shells.
2. Heat the oil and saute the onion until golden. Add the garlic and saute for a couple of minutes. Add the ground beef and brown. Drain off the fat. Add the spices and cook until the meat is done. Add the olives, raisin and egg, mix well.
3. Scoop the meat mixture (about a tablespoon worth) onto the shell. Fold the shell, forming a semi-circle. Close the empanada by passing a fork though its open edge, merging both sides of the shell.
4. Brush the tops of the empanadas with butter or egg wash. Bake in oven at 400 F until golden.

*Here, we usually buy the shells pre-made. If you can't find them, you can try puff pastry, pie crust, or the following recipe.

Empanada Shells

• 500 g flour   (~17.6 ounces, by weight**)
• 1 T salt  
• 125 g butter (~4.4 ounces), room temperature  
• 170 cc water (~7.8 fluid ounces)

1. Mix the flour and salt, then the butter, and then the water. 
2. Knead.
3. Roll out to a thickness of a little more than 1/8 inch.
4. Cut out circles, about 6 inches in diameter.

**We're on the metric system here.

Yankees, let us know what you think.

If you're from Argentina, please, feel free to share your favorite recipe in the comments!
Si sos de Argentina, por favor, compartí tu receta favorita en los comentarios!