EMPANADAS WITH SPICY PORK

Empanadas with Spicy Pork image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes 60

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 small cinnamon stick
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 5-pound pork butt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 small onions, finely diced
Salsa Verde for Empanadas
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup Homemade Chicken Stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
8 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 1/2 cups warm water (100Â° to 110Â°)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

Toast spices in small, heavy skillet over medium-high heat, shaking pan often, 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to scorch spices. Let cool, finely grind, and combine with garlic.
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Bring pork to room temperature; rub with spice mixture. Roast in a heavy roasting pan until pork is very well done and falling off the bone, about 2 1/2 hours. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Trim fat and remove pork from bone. Dice into small pieces, cover, and set aside.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions; saute, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add pork, 2 cups salsa verde, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, pepper, and stock. Simmer until liquid starts to thicken, 5 to 8 minutes.
Whisk together flour, shortening, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and baking powder in bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups warm water; knead dough until smooth. Cover; let stand 10 minutes. Divide into 60 1 1/2-inch balls; cover with plastic.
Lightly flour work surface; roll out each dough ball to 3 1/2-inch disk. Place 1 heaping tablespoon pork filling in center of each; fold dough to enclose filling and form a half moon. Seal edges by crimping with fork.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange empanadas on parchment-lined baking sheets; generously brush with butter. Bake 2 pans (meanwhile, refrigerate others) until light brown, 20 to 25 minutes; rotate pans between racks halfway through. Let cool slightly; bake remaining pans. Serve with remaining salsa verde.