CORN EMPANADAS

Corn Empanadas image

Back in 2013, David Tanis learned to make several versions of empanadas from his friend Fernando Trocca, an Argentine chef, including one filled with sweet corn. Here, Mr. Tanis uses potatoes, peppers and ham, in addition to corn, to fill the handmade dough. It's not a quick project, but it yields dividends and the satisfaction of pulling dozens of the small pies out of the oven.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories dinner, lunch, main course, side dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 36 empanadas

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

4 ounces lard or butter, plus more for brushing tops
1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
About 6 cups/750 grams all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
Lard or olive oil, or a combination, for sautéing
1 cup diced onion
1/2 pound potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups fresh corn kernels
2 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
2 teaspoons chopped thyme
Salt and pepper
Chicken broth as necessary, or use water
2 red bell peppers, roasted till blackened, then peeled and diced
1 cup diced cooked ham or Canadian bacon (optional)
1/2 cup ricotta
Large pinch of cayenne
2 ounces grated Gruyère cheese
1/2 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts

Steps:

Make the dough: Put 2 cups boiling water, 4 ounces lard and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir to melt lard and dissolve salt. Cool to room temperature.
Gradually stir in flour with a wooden spoon until dough comes together. Knead for a minute or two on a floured board, until firm and smooth. Add more flour if sticky. Wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Make the filling: Melt 3 tablespoons lard in a wide heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook briskly, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes, corn, garlic, cumin and thyme. Season generously with salt and pepper and stir well. Add about 1 cup broth or water and simmer until potatoes are softened and liquid has evaporated, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add roasted peppers, ham, ricotta and cayenne and stir well. Taste and adjust seasoning for full flavor (intensity will diminish upon cooling). Stir in Gruyère and scallions. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Divide chilled dough into 1-ounce pieces and form into 2-inch diameter balls. Roll each piece into a 4 1/2-inch circle. Lay circles on a baking sheet lightly dusted with flour.
Moisten outer edge of each round with water. Put about 2 tablespoons filling in the center of each round. Wrap dough around filling to form empanada, pressing edges together. Fold edge back and finish by pinching little pleats or crimping with a fork.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place empanadas on parchment-lined or oiled baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Brush tops lightly with lard or butter and bake on top shelf of oven until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 141, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 21 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 156 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram