Best 2 Picadillo Empañadas With Cornmeal Crust Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Picadillo empanadas with cornmeal crust are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. Made with a savory filling of ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and spices, these empanadas are wrapped in a crispy cornmeal crust and baked to perfection. Whether you're looking for a flavorful addition to your next party or a hearty meal for your family, picadillo empanadas with cornmeal crust are sure to be a hit.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

PICADILLO EMPAñADAS WITH CORNMEAL CRUST



Picadillo Empañadas with Cornmeal Crust image

Categories     Side     Bake     Kid-Friendly     Cinco de Mayo     Back to School     Ground Beef     Cornmeal     Chill     Jalapeño     Gourmet     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Small Plates

Yield Makes 12 empanadas

Number Of Ingredients 27

For the cornmeal dough
a 1/4-ounce package (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup milk, heated to lukewarm
1 large whole egg, beaten lightly
1 large egg yolk, beaten lightly
1/3 cup sour cream
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal
3/4 teaspoons salt
For the picadillo
1 1/4 cups finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 drained bottled pickled large jalapeño chilies, seeded and minced (wear rubber gloves), about 1 1/2 tablespoons
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon crumbled dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
a pinch of ground cloves
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound ground chuck
1/4 cup tomato paste
a 28-ounce can plum tomatoes including the juice, chopped
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped pimiento-stuff green olives (about 4 1/2 ounces)
dried hot red pepper flakes to taste

Steps:

  • Make the cornmeal dough:
  • In the large bowl of an electric mixer proof the yeast with the sugar in 1/4 cup of the milk for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is foamy. Beat in the remaining 1/4 cup milk, the whole egg, the egg yolk, the sour cream, and the butter, add 2 cups of the flour, the cornmeal, and the salt, and beat the mixture until it forms a dough. With the dough hook knead the dough, adding as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking, for 4 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball, transfer it to an oiled bowl, and turn it to coat it with the oil. Let the dough rise, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours and punch it down. (The dough may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Let the dough return to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.)
  • Make the picadillo:
  • In a large heavy skillet cook the onion, the garlic, the jalapeños, the cumin, the chili powder, the oregano, the cinnamon, the cloves, and pepper to taste in the oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, add the chuck, and cook the mixture over moderately high heat, stirring and breaking up any lumps, until the meat is no longer pink. Add the tomato paste, the tomatoes with the juice, the raisins, the olives, the red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste, simmer the picadillo, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is thickened and most of the liquid is evaporated, and let it cool. (The picadillo may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Let the picadillo return to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.)
  • Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time and keeping the remaining pieces covered with plastic wrap, on a lightly floured surface roll out the dough 1/8 inch thick and with a 6-inch round cutter cut each piece into a round. Put about 1/3 cup of the picadillo onto the bottom two thirds of each round and fold the rounds in half, enclosing the filling. Seal the edges of the dough and crimp them decoratively. Transfer the empanadas with a spatula to a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake them in the middle of a preheated 450°F. oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden. Transfer the empanadas to a rack and let them cool.

PICADILLO EMPANADAS



Picadillo Empanadas image

Provided by Marcela Valladolid

Categories     appetizer

Time 55m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tomato
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
8 ounces ground beef
Kosher salt
1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup pitted green olives, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1 large egg
Cooking spray
2 sheets frozen puff pastry (one 17-ounce package), thawed
All-purpose flour, for dusting

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil, drop in the tomato and boil 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and let cool 5 minutes, then peel and puree in a blender until smooth; set aside.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 7 minutes; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the onion, carrot, olives, raisins and the pureed tomato. Simmer until thick, about 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Beat the egg with 2 teaspoons water in a small bowl; set aside. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Working with 1 sheet of puff pastry at a time, unfold on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough into a 10-inch square, about 1/4 inch thick, using a floured rolling pin. Cut into four 5-inch squares. Place 1/4 cup of the picadillo mixture in the center of each square. Brush the edges with the egg wash and fold diagonally to form a triangle. Crimp the edges with a fork.
  • Transfer the empanadas to the prepared baking sheet and brush with the remaining egg wash. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and prevent any scrambling later on.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your empanadas will taste. If possible, use organic or locally grown produce.
  • Cook the Picadillo Filling Thoroughly: The picadillo filling is the heart of the empanadas, so make sure it's cooked through before assembling them. This will help prevent any foodborne illnesses.
  • Use a Sturdy Cornmeal Crust: The cornmeal crust is what holds the empanadas together, so make sure it's sturdy enough to withstand the baking process. If the dough is too wet, it will be difficult to work with and the empanadas may fall apart.
  • Seal the Empanadas Properly: Make sure the empanadas are sealed properly before baking them. This will help prevent the filling from leaking out.
  • Bake the Empanadas Until Golden Brown: The empanadas should be baked until they are golden brown and crispy. This will ensure that the crust is cooked through and the filling is hot and bubbly.

Conclusion:

These picadillo empanadas with cornmeal crust are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. They're perfect for parties or potlucks, and they can also be frozen for later. With their flavorful filling and crispy crust, these empanadas are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

Related Topics