Best Cuban Manchego Cheese Turnovers Recipes

CUBAN CHEESE TURNOVERS (EMPANADA DE QUESO)

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.
• Cut in 1/2 lb butter with pastry blender.
• Add one egg and vinegar.
• Slowly add water, as needed, mixing to form the dough.
• Turn dough out onto plastic wrap and knead until smooth, only a few seconds. Wrap well and chill 30 minutes.
• Saute onion in 2 T butter.
• Add spinach over medium heat.
• Cool, then combine with cheese, hazelnuts, and raisins.
• On lightly floured surface, roll half the chilled dough to 1/8" thick.
• Cut out 3" circles.
• Spoon 1 T filling into the center of each circle.
• Make egg wash with beaten egg and 2 T water.
• Brush egg wash around edges.Fold up edges forming a pouch, and seal.
• Refrigerate the empanadas on greased parchment paper for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Brush the empanadas with egg wash.
• Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

CHEESE & BACON TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Unravel the pastry on the sheet of baking parchment it comes with, and cut into six squares. Mix the soft cheese with the mustard, if using, and a good grinding of black pepper. Divide between the middles of the pastry squares, and smooth over in a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite side.
• Lay a bacon rasher over the soft cheese, then scatter over the cheese. Brush the two exposed corners of pastry with beaten egg, and fold over the top of the filling to join together. Brush the tops with more egg, then slide the baking parchment on to a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 mins until the cheese has melted and the pastry is golden.
• Transfer to a cooling rack for 5-10 mins before serving warm. Will keep chilled in an airtight container for two-three days.

EMPANADAS (BEEF TURNOVERS)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Add onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes more. Stir in tomato sauce, olives, Sofrito, Sazon, garlic, oregano and black pepper. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes.
• On a lightly floured work surface, using a rolling pin, roll out discos until 1/2-inch larger in diameter. Spoon about 1 tbsp. meat mixture into middle, fold in half to form a half moon; moisten edges with water and pinch to seal closed, or seal with a fork.
• Fill a deep saucepan with oil to a depth of 2 1/2-inches. Heat oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking (350 degrees F on deep-fry thermometer). Cook Empanadas in batches until crisp and golden brown, flipping once, 4 - 6 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

DATE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Heat dates, water, and 1/4 cup brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat; cook until dates are very soft, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Stir vinegar into milk in a bowl; set aside to curdle, about 10 minutes.
• Whisk flour and baking soda together in a large bowl; stir in oats and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar. Stir butter, shortening, and milk mixture into flour mixture; cover dough and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface about 1/8-inch thick; cut dough circles with a round cookie cutter. Place about 1 tablespoon date mixture in the center of each circle; fold circle in half and press edges together tightly to seal. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove to cool completely on a wire rack.

KAT'S SAUSAGE TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Crumble the sausage into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until browned. Drain grease, and mix in the cream cheese, cayenne pepper, parsley and mushrooms. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool. Chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Unroll the crescent roll dough, and separate at the perforations. Stretch each one out as large as you can without breaking, and place a large spoonful of the sausage mixture at the large end. Wrap up like a diaper: fold in the sides, and roll towards the point. Press any openings together to seal. Place on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 16 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown.