Spinach Empanadas Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in a large bowl until well combined. Using a large spoon, stir in the garlic, cheeses, spinach and artichoke hearts. Season to taste and set aside.
• Place one empanada disc on a clean dry work surface, keeping the remaining dough covered with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Using a 4-inch football-shaped cookie cutter, punch out 2 footballs per dough disc. Set aside the excess dough; you will need this to create laces for the top of the football. Spread 1 1/2 to 2 heaping tablespoons cheese filling on one of the football cutouts, leaving a 1/4-inch border all the way around the edge. Place the other football cutout on top of the filling, stretching if necessary. Press down on the edges using a fork to fuse the 2 pieces together and make a decorative border around the empanadas.
• Use the excess dough to create 1 longer and 3 shorter strips. Put the longer strip running down the length of the football, then the 3 shorter strips across the longer one. Repeat with the remaining filling and dough discs. Place the finished footballs on the prepared baking sheet and brush with the egg wash. Bake until the empanadas are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Steps:

• For pastry: In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Gradually beat in flour and salt.
• The mixture will be very thick.
• Knead by hand.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 3 hours.
• For filling: In a medium skillet, cook the onion and garlic in the reserved bacon drippings for 3-4 minutes until onion is tender but not brown.
• Stir in the crumbled bacon, spinach, cottage cheese, pepper and nutmeg.
• Let filling cool.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry until it is 1/8 inch thick.
• Using a 3 inch cutter, cut out as many pastry circles as possible.
• Place 1 tsp filling on one half of each pastry circle.
• Moisten the edges of the circle with beaten egg mixed with a little water (eggwash) and fold the other half over the filling.
• Place on an ungreased baking sheet and seal the edges of the pastry with a fork.
• Brush tops with the egg and prick a small vent in each.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
• Serve warm with salsa for dipping.
• To freeze: After baking, allow to cool. Freeze on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a large freezer bag. Seal & label.
• To reheat: Reheat on a baking sheet at 450 degrees until just heated through. About 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Steam the spinach in a steamer until wilted, but not mushy--just a minute or two in the steamer.
• Heat the olive oil in a saute pan; when it is moderately hot, quickly stir in garlic and tomatoes, stirring constantly, for a couple of minutes.
• Remove pan from heat and let cool; mix in the cooked spinach, salt and pepper to taste.
• Dough: sift the flour with the salt and baking powder; place half the flour mixture in a big mixing bowl; make a well in the center.
• Place the butter, large, eggs, and water in the well.
• Mix at low speed to form a paste.
• Continue to mix in the remaining flour mixture until all is added; you may need to add water--slowly and in small quantities--until the dough reaches the right consistency.
• The dough should be soft and pliable, like pie dough.
• Place the dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Lightly flour a work surface; divide the dough into 4 pieces (keep the pieces you aren't using in the refrigerator until you need them).
• Use a floured rolling pin to roll out the dough about 1/8 inch thick.
• Use a large round cookie cutter or bowl (about 4 inches in diameter) to cut circles from the dough.
• Use a slotted spoon (to allow any excess liquid to drain from the filling) and put some filling in the center of the circle and fold over to make a half circle; don't overfill.
• Seal the edges of the dough with your fingers or with a fork to make a scalloped edge.
• Get a large frying pan and add enough vegetable oil to cover the empanadas completely; heat the oil to the frying stage, about 350°.
• Fry the empanadas in oil, turning occasionally until brown on all sides; drain on paper towels; serve hot.
• **You may also bake these in the oven on a lightly greased baking sheet at 350° for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Steps:

• Prepare Empanada Dough as directed. Cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat 3 min. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 4 min. or until bacon is crisp. Drain; place in medium bowl. Add spinach, cheese, corn and crushed pepper; mix well.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Shape dough into 24 balls, using about 1 Tbsp. dough for each ball. Press each ball into 4-inch round. Spoon about 1 Tbsp. spinach mixture onto center of each round. Brush edges of dough evenly with half the egg; fold in half. Press tops lightly to remove air pockets. Press edges together to seal. Place on parchment-covered baking sheet; brush with remaining egg.
• Bake 15 min. or until golden brown. Cool slightly.