Filipino Snack Ideas Empanada Recipe

Empanada in the Philippines

Your Quick Snack Ideas No. 1

Empanada Recipe | A Filipino Food Introduction:

Many Filipino dishes and recipes that are now popular did not really originate from Filipino cuisine. Most of these recipes are only modifications from other cuisines brought by colonizers and other nationalities that dwelled in the country. One of these is the all-time favorite Filipino snack EMPANADA.

Empanada originates from the Spanish word “empanar”, which means “to wrap or coat in bread”. According to Wikipedia, Empanada traces their origins from Portugal and Galicia. They initially came from middle ages, probably at the time of Moorish attack. In the 15th century, empanada recipe includes seafood as its filling and has become popular in Italy, France and the Middle East. In this situation, it is assumed that empanadas and similar cuisines are derived from Eastern and Western Arabic “samosas”, meat-filled pies. In fact, Libre del Coch, a cookbook written in 1520 by Ruperto de Nola, mentioned this kind of recipe.

In countries where it was originated, empanadas are prepared in the same way that large pastries are set up. It is then cut into smaller pieces so that it would be handy for working people. The dough can be filled with fish, chorizo de bilbao, shrimp or crab meat. The fillings can also be substituted with pork and beef meat, whatever is available.

EMPANADA RECIPE – A Snack You Will Surely Love

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

rolling pin
a large and small size bowls
measuring cups and spoons
plastic for packaging
frying pan or turbo broiler / oven
beater

Ingredients for Chicken Empanada:

THE DOUGH:

6 cups flour
2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold water
2 eggs
2 egg whites
2 teaspoons vinegar
½ cup shortening

THE FILLING:

½ kilo of chicken meat (deboned, sliced into small pieces)
1 piece large potato (peeled and diced)
1 piece medium size carrot
A pinch of iodized salt
1 medium sized white onion (chopped)
ground black pepper ( for extra flavor)
1 clove of crushed garlic
2 tablespoon of sesame or vegetable oil

Optional:

3 tablespoon of raisins
3 tablespoon of pickle relish
melted cheese

How to Prepare and Cook Empanada:

THE FILLINGS:

1. Sauté garlic in a frying pan with hot oil until golden brown. Add chopped onion. Put in the chicken meat and wait until tender.

2. Add potatoes, carrots and seasonings. Simmer for 4 minutes or until or veggies are cooked.

3. Remove from heat. Drain excess liquid. You can now add the pickles, raisins and / or melted cheese.

4. Prepare the dough by making 6-inch flat squares.

5. Put a small amount of fillings into the flat dough and wet edges with water. Flip the half of the dough and make a triangular shape.

6. You can press the edges with a fork or with your fingers, allowing it to seal. Arrange empanadas on baking sheets or pans and wait for 15 minutes or so.

7. You can bake this empanada recipe in preheated oven 25 to 30 minutes or deep fry in a large skillet.

THE DOUGH:

1. Beat eggs together with egg whites and water in a large bowl. Add vinegar and beat until smooth.

2. In a smaller bowl, mix together the flour, shortening and salt.

3. Add the dry ingredients into the liquid gradually while mixing.

4. When stiff enough, you can fold and knead the empanada dough into a dry plastic sheet until it well formed.

5. Set aside and prepare the fillings.

Cooking Tips:

Putting the dough into the refrigerator will add shelf life and can be used later on. You can also buy packaged dough or ready-to-cook dough which is available in the supermarket to save time.

I certainly love this snack food and it is a great experience preparing empanada recipe to my family. It is also a way of enjoying family moments especially if all family members prepare the recipe.


Photo Credit : http://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empanada