Best Colombian Empanadas Recipes

COLOMBIAN BEEF AND POTATO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Prepare the filling: Place potato cubes in a medium saucepan, cover with water and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until cubes are completely tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, using a flat palm, press the cut side of the tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate the tomato until you're left with just the skin. (The skin should protect your hand from the grater.) Discard the skin, then transfer the tomato and any juices to a small bowl. Set aside.
• In a 10- to 12-inch skillet over medium-high, heat vegetable oil until shimmering. Add beef or pork, and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until the pieces are quite small and completely cooked through, about 5 minutes.
• Add onion, scallion, paprika, bouillon (if using), and a few grinds of black pepper, and cook, stirring, until the onion is softened but not browned, about 1 minute. Immediately add the grated tomato and its juices, and cook, stirring, until the mixture is quite dry, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer meat mixture to the bowl with potatoes and stir together with a fork, letting the potato get roughly mashed up. (The filling should form cohesive balls when gently packed.) Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, bouillon and pepper to taste. Allow to cool completely. Spreading it out on a large plate or tray and placing it in the fridge will speed up this process.
• Assemble the empanadas: Divide masa into 24 golf-ball-size balls. Working one ball at a time, place inside a plastic zip-top bag and press down with the bottom of a skillet to form a circle about 3 inches in diameter. Carefully remove from the bag and transfer to a clean cutting board or tray. Repeat with remaining dough balls, laying them out side by side. Cover the disks with a clean, lightly damp kitchen towel.
• Working one empanada at a time, place about 2 teaspoons of meat mixture in the center of the disk. Lift the front and back edges and seal them at the top by gently pushing them together. Seal the empanada, working from the center outward until both ends are completely sealed. Gently curve the empanada to form a slight crescent with the sealed edge at the top. Repeat with remaining empanadas.
• In a large Dutch oven or wok over high, heat 2 quarts oil until it registers 375 degrees on an instant-read or frying thermometer. Using a metal spider or slotted spoon, lower empanadas into the hot oil one at a time. You should be able to cook about six empanadas per batch. Cook empanadas, adjusting heat to maintain an oil temperature of 325 to 375 degrees, until empanadas are crisp and golden, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or metal spider, transfer empanadas to a paper-towel-lined plate or bowl and immediately season with salt.
• Serve empanadas hot, with a bowl of ají and a spoon to drizzle the sauce over the empanadas and into them as you eat.

COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the meat, onions, carrot and potato and saute until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the tomato, cilantro, eggs, capers, salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Roll out the chilled pastry to 1/4 inch thick and cut out 3 inch diameter rounds (you should get about 40). Place 2 tablespoons of the filling on half of the rounds, and cover the filling with the remaining half of the rounds. Seal the edges with the tines of a fork. Place the filled empanadas on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Prepare the vegetables:.Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large stock pot. Add 3 minced cloves of garlic, chopped tomato, chopped green onions, chopped onion, chopped red bell pepper, chopped cilantro leaves, ½ teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 package Sazón Goya con azafran. Sautee over medium heat, stirring until onion is very soft (about 12-15 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste. When done remove all contents from pot and set aside in a separate bowl.
• Prepare steak and potatoes:.In the large stock pot (or can use a slow cooker) add 1 whole head of garlic (smashed), 1 whole onion peeled and cut in half, 1 whole tomato cut in half,(sounds weird but is necessary for the broth) 3 beef bouillon cubes, flank steak and cover with water. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer the steak until very tender (about an hour). Peel and quarter potatoes and add to the pot, adding more water if necessary to cover the potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are very tender (about 25 minutes). Remove pot from heat and let the meat and potatoes cool in the broth.
• Remove the meat from the broth and slice into 1" cubes, then put cut up steak into a food processor and pulse it until it looks like ground beef *DO NOT OVER PROCESS, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE BABY FOOD OUT OF THE STEAK*.
• Remove potatoes from the broth and set aside in a separate bowl, strain the broth and reserve it.
• Add the potatoes, the meat and vegetables into the same bowl. Add a little of the beef broth to the mixture and mix well, mashing the potatoes in the process.
• Prepare the dough:.Place 3 cups yellow masarepa (pre-cooked cornmeal) into a large bowl, add 2 teaspoons of sugar and salt and pepper to taste, incorporate the dry ingredients well before adding the liquid.
• Combine 1 cup of reserved broth, 2 ¼ cups of hot water and 1 tablespoon of softened butter.
• Slowly add the cornmeal to the water and stir with a big spoon. When all of the corn meal has been added, work the dough with your hands until it becomes soft. Let rest for 20 minutes.
• Making the empanadas:.To make the empanadas, put a small ball of dough (about the size of a golf ball) in the center of a tortilla press covered with plastic and press to flatten it. You can also put the small ball of dough between two pieces of plastic and flatten it with a small saucepan.
• Add a tablespoon or so of the filling. Fold the circle of dough in half to form a half moon.
• Cut off the edge of the half moon with a cup or drinking glass. This will shape your empanada and seal it at the same time. Another way to make them is pressing the edge with your fingers and folding the extra dough inwards, this will prevent the filling from coming out during frying.
• you can fry them in a deep frier at 350ºF. You can also fry them on the stove at medium high temperature. Fry the empanadas for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Then put them on a paper towels to drain them.
• *Note: You can shape the empanadas a day ahead, and chill them until you are ready to fry. Once empanadas are cooked, keep them warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to serve.

EMPANADAS COLOMBIANAS (COLOMBIAN MEAT PIES)

Steps:

• Measure the masarepa into a large bowl, add the sazon, if using, and salt and mix well; add the water and mix to form a dough (it will be a little wet and rubbery); let stand while filling is prepared.
• Meanwhile, cook the potatoes with water and the bouillon until tender, about 10 minutes; drain, mash slightly and set aside.
• In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil; add onion, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, bell pepper, and cilantro.
• Cook, stirring occasionally until tomatoes break down, about 15 minutes.
• Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, cumin, and sazon; cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fairly dry.
• Stir in potatoes and mix well.
• Heat oil (at least 2 inches) over medium high heat.
• Break off golf ball sized sections of dough (1.5 oz) and roll in your hands into a ball; place between plastic wrap and flatten with the heel of your palm into a 6 inch disc.
• Peel away plastic from top only and scoop plastic and disc into your palm; place a heaping tablespoon of filling in center then fold disc and pinch closed; slightly flatten to distribute filling.
• With a slotted spoon, gently lower empanada into hot oil and cook 2 minutes, turning about halfway through (you'll need to cook in batches); drain on paper toweling.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with recipe Aji (recipe #377331) or Avocado Sauce (recipe #411639) and/or lime wedges.

COLOMBIAN FRIED EMPANADAS - WITH BEEF & POTATOE

Steps:

• 1. Prepare hogao: Heat olive oil in a large stockpot. Add garlic, tomato, onions, cumin, goya seasoning, and cilantro and sauté over medium heat, stirring, until onion is very soft (about 12-15 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• 2. Remove hogao from pot and set aside in a separate bowl. Add the beef bouillon cubes to the pot.
• 3. Slice the beef into strips and add to the pot. Cover the meat with water, and bring to a boil.
• 4. Simmer beef until very tender when pierced with a fork, about an hour
• 5. Peel and quarter potatoes and add to the beef, adding more water if necessary to cover the potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are very tender. Remove pot from heat and let the meat and potatoes cool in the broth.
• 6. Remove meat and potatoes into a separate bowl and set aside. Strain the broth into a large measuring cup and reserve.
• 7. Place the masarepa into a large bowl. Stir 1 cup of the reserved broth into the masarepa, along with 2 1/4 cups of hot water and the 2 teaspoons sugar.
• 8. Season mixture with salt and pepper and set aside for 10 minutes.
• 9. Finely chop the meat and potatoes. Stir the reserved hogao into the meat and potatoes and mix thoroughly, adding a little of the beef broth and slightly mashing the potatoes.
• 10. Roll the masarepa dough into about 40 golfball-size balls.
• 11. Working with one ball of dough at a time, flatten each ball into a 4 inch circle between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Place a teaspoon or so of filling in the middle of the dough circle, and fold the circle in half to make a half moon shape that encloses the filling. Seal the edges with your fingers. Repeat with all of the balls of dough.
• 12. Preheat vegetable oil to 350 degrees. Fry empanadas in batches until they are golden brown (about 5 minutes). Drain on paper towels. Serve empanadas warm with aji sauce.

EMAPANDAS COLOMBIANAS- COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Combine the corn meal, salt and the hot water. As soon as the ingredients are combined, begin to stir the mixture until all of the water is well combined into the flour, then set aside and let the mixture cool. Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, turn the mixture out onto a board and lightly knead the mixture (for about 1 minute) and then separate mixture into 4 large balls. Take one of the balls place between a piece of plastic wrap and flatten with a rolling pin. Roll mixture out into a thin to medium thin thickness. On the end closest to you, go up about 1 1/2 inches and place your choice of filling. After placing the filling, take the plastic and fold it over the filling, then take your cup and cut out a crescent shaped Empanada. Note** The crescent shaped cutting is done on top of the plastic wrap. Remove the wrap from the top and remove the Empanada and set aside. Once all of your Empanadas are completed, you can fry immediately or place in the refrigerator. I like to place them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes just to allow the corn meal to set a little better. Do not be scared of the instructions. Once you make one empanada you will see that it is very simple.

COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS

Steps:

• 1. Measure the masarepa into a large bowl, add the sazon, if using, and salt, and mix well. Add water and mix to form a dough (it will be a bit wet and rubbery). Let stand while preparing the filling.
• 2. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes with water and the bouillon until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, mash lightly, and set aside.
• 3. In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil; add onion, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, bell pepper, and cilantro. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down, about 15 minutes. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, cumin, and sazon. Cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until browned and fairly dry.
• 4. Stir in the potatoes and mix well.
• 5. Heat at least 2-inches of oil over medium high heat.
• 6. Break off a golf ball sized section of the dough (1.5 ounces) and with your hands, roll it into a ball. Place between plastic wrap and flatten, with the heel of your palm, into a 6-inch disc. Peel away the plastic from the top only and scoop the bottom plastic and the disc into your palm. Place a heaping tablespoon of the filling in the center, then fold the disc and pinch the ends closed. Slighly flatten to distribute filling. Do the same with the remaining dough and filling.
• 7. With a slotted spoon, gently lower the empanada into the hot oil and cook 2 minutes, turning about halfway through. Drain on paper toweling. You'll need to cook these in batches.
• 8. Serve warm or at room temperature with Aji or Avocado Sauce, and/or lime wedges.

COLOMBIAN EMPANADAS WITH HOT SAUCE RECIPE - (4.1/5)

Steps:

• Peel and cut the potatoes into small cubes. Put them in a pot, cover them with enough water and add salt. Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes on medium heat or until soft. When the potatoes are cooked, drain them and roughly mash them. To make the dough, add hot water to a large bowl, add the chicken bouillon, Sazón Goya, salt and butter. Stir well to mix all of the ingredients. Slowly add the cornmeal to the water and stir with a big spoon. When all of the corn meal has been added, work the dough with your hands until it becomes soft. Let rest for 20 minutes. Add oil to a large pan on medium heat. Add the garlic, red bell pepper, tomatoes, onion powder, salt, cilantro, and cumin. Cook this guiso (sauce) for about 5 minutes. Add the beef to the guiso and cook it thoroughly. Add the mashed potatoes and mix well to make the filling. To make the empanadas, put a small ball of dough in the center of a tortilla press covered with plastic and press to flatten it. You can also put the small ball of dough between two pieces of plastic and flatten it with a small saucepan. Add a tablespoon of the filling. Fold the circle of dough in half to form a half moon. Cut off the edge of the half moon with a cup or drinking glass. This will shape your empanada and seal it at the same time. Another way to make them is pressing the edge with your fingers and folding the extra dough inwards, this will prevent the filling from coming out during frying. Once you have all of your empanadas ready, you can fry them in a deep frier with enough oil at 350ºF. You can also fry them on the stove at medium high temperature. Fry the empanadas for 6 to 7 minutes or until golden brown. Then put them on a paper towels to drain them. Serve them hot with Colombian hot sauce and lime wedges. HOT SAUCE: Add water, vinegar, habanero peppers, onion, sugar, oil, lime juice and salt to a blender and blend well. Add cilantro, red bell pepper and tomatoes. Pulse once or twice to mix the ingredients without blending. If you wish to have a stronger onion flavor you can add the green onion in this step instead of the previous one.