Best Miniature Meat Turnovers Recipes

GROUND BEEF TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, combine the water, egg and vinegar. Add to shortening mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing lightly with a fork until mixture forms a ball. Cover and chill for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, combine the first six filling ingredients. Divide pastry into 15 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion into a 6-1/2-in. circle. , Mound a heaping 1/3 cup filling on half of circle. Moisten edges with water; fold dough over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling. , Cut three slits in the top of each turnover; brush with cream. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until vegetables are tender and crust is golden brown.

MINI EMPANADILLAS (PUERTO RICAN BEEF TURNOVERS)

Steps:

• Dough - Mix flour, salt, butter (slice up the stick of butter first) and egg with a food processor or mixer. Start adding water slowly until you get a nice stretchy dough consistency.
• The dough shouldn't be sticky, if it is, add more flour to the mix. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is not absolutely necessary, but it does make the dough easier to work with.
• Beef Filling - Season ground beef with Adobo to desired taste, add chopped garlic cloves and brown the meat in a skillet. You may also use salt and pepper instead of Adobo if you prefer.
• Once meat is cooked add Sofrito, Sazon, tomato sauce, onions, green peppers, red peppers and potatoes. Let it simmer until potatoes are tender.
• Take your dough and roll it out with a rolling pin. Make sure to sprinkle flour on the surface, your rolling pin and hands to prevent the dough from sticking. Once your roll the dough out, use a cup or a round cookie cutter to cut circular shapes.
• Place a spoonful of beef filling on the dough and fold it shut.
• My favorite method for sealing empanadillas is to use a fork. Simply press on the edge with a fork on both sides and you're done.
• Fry each side of the empanadilla in hot oil. Simply remove when the empandilla gets a light golden color.

TANGY BEEF TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add sauerkraut and cheese. , Unroll crescent roll dough and separate into rectangles. Place on greased baking sheets; pinch seams to seal. Place 1/2 cup beef mixture in the center of each rectangle. Bring corners to the center and pinch to seal. Bake at 375° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

MINI CHICKEN TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in chicken, broth, seasonings and cream cheese; set aside. , In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and paprika; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. , On a floured surface, roll out pastry to 1/16-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and cut more circles. Mound a heaping teaspoon of filling on half of each circle. Moisten edges with water; fold pastry over filling and press edges with a fork to seal. , Place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling. Prick tops with a fork. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

MINCEMEAT TURNOVERS

Steps:

• Combine flour, granulated sugar and salt in large bowl; set aside.
• Cut butter into 1-inch chunks.
• Add butter and shortening to flour mixture.
• Cut in with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Drizzle buttermilk over top; toss just until mixture comes together to form ball.
• Turn out dough onto lightly floured work surface; fold in half and flatten to about 1/2 inch thick.
• Knead about 8 times.
• Divide dough in half; press each half into 1/2-inch-thick disc.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Lightly grease cookie sheets; set aside.
• Let dough rest at room temperature 10 minutes.
• Roll 1 dough disc into 8X12-inch rectangle on lightly floured work surface.
• Cut into 24 (3-inch) squares.
• Place heaping 1/2 teaspoon mincemeat in center of each square.
• Fold opposite corners each about 2/3 of the way over filling, overlapping dough corners.
• Place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
• Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Remove cookies or wire racks; cool completely.
• Sprinkle pastries lightly with powdered sugar, if desired.