Empanadillas with cuban picadillo

1 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
3cupsUnbleached flour
½teaspoonSalt
1cupLard (or shortening)
¾cupCold water
1tablespoonLemon juice or vi@vinegar
2Egg yolks
2tablespoonsAnnatto oil
1poundsBeef chuck, cut in 1/2 inch cubes
teaspoonSalt
Freshly grated black pepper
Cayenne, to taste
1cupFinely chopped onions
3Cloves garlic, minced
1largeGreen Bell pepper, finely chopped
1Jalapeno chile, finely chopped
4Tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
¼cupRaisins
3tablespoonsRed wine vine
litreCup pimiento-stuffed green olives, chopped
1Egg, beaten
1tablespoonMilk, cream or water

Directions

PASTRY

FILLING

Pastry: Combine flour and salt. Cut in lard (or shortening). Combine water with lemon juice (or vinegar) and yolks and mix well. Add to flour and, with your hands, form into a ball and chill for 30 minutes. Cut ball in half and roll into large thin 16 x 20-inch rectangle. Cut into 4 x 4 inch squares and chill until filling is ready.

Filling: Heat oil in large skillet and brown beef well, ⅓ at a time. Add salt, pepper and cayenne to taste and remove from pan.

Saute onions, garlic , pepper and chile until soft. Return meat and any juices to pan.

Add tomatoes, raisins, and vinegar. Cook until meat is very tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Stir in olives and cook for another 10 minutes.

Cool to room temperature

Assembly: Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling in pastry squares.

Fold over and seal. Trim any excess pastry but keep triangle shape.

Mix egg and milk (or cream or water) for an egg wash and brush it onto the turnovers. Place on greased cookie sheets.

Bake in preheated 375F oven for 15 minutes until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes approximately 4 pastries. From the San Francisco Chronicle, 8/10/88.

Posted by Stephen Ceideberg; November 11 1992.