MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

     Title: Colombian Beef & Potato Empanadas
Categories: Potatoes, Vegetables, Herbs, Beef, Pork
     Yield: 24 Empanadas

MMMMM--------------------------FILLING-------------------------------
     1 md Yukon Gold potato; peeled,
          - in 1/2" cubes
          Salt & fresh ground pepper
   1/2    Ripe beefsteak tomato
     1 tb Vegetable oil
   1/2 lb Lean ground beef or pork
   1/2 sm White or yellow onion; fine
          - minced
     1    Scallion; fine minced
   1/2 ts Sweet paprika
   1/2 ts Granulated chicken bouillon;
          - more as needed

MMMMM--------------------------ASSEMBLY-------------------------------
     1    Recipe popcorn or standard
          - masa
     2 qt Oil

MMMMM------------------------FOR SERVING-----------------------------
          Salt
          Ají (separate recipe)

 PREPARE THE FILLING: Place potato cubes in a medium
 saucepan, cover with water and season with 1 ts
 salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook
 until cubes are completely tender, about 10 minutes.
 Drain and transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside.

 Meanwhile, using a flat palm, press the cut side of the
 tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate
 the tomato until you're left with just the skin. (The
 skin should protect your hand from the grater.) Discard
 the skin, then transfer the tomato and any juices to a
 small bowl. Set aside.

 In a 10" to 12" skillet over medium-high, heat oil until
 shimmering. Add beef or pork, and cook, breaking it up
 with a wooden spoon until the pieces are quite small and
 completely cooked through, about 5 minutes.

 Add onion, scallion, paprika, bouillon (if using), and a
 few grinds of black pepper, and cook, stirring, until
 the onion is softened but not browned, about 1 minute.
 Immediately add the grated tomato and its juices, and
 cook, stirring, until the mixture is quite dry, about 5
 minutes.

 Transfer meat mixture to the bowl with potatoes and stir
 together with a fork, letting the potato get roughly
 mashed up. (The filling should form cohesive balls when
 gently packed.) Taste and adjust seasoning with more
 salt, bouillon and pepper to taste. Allow to cool
 completely. Spreading it out on a large plate or tray
 and placing it in the fridge will speed up this process.

 ASSEMBLE THE EMPANADAS: Divide masa into 24
 golf-ball-size balls. Working one ball at a time, place
 inside a plastic zip-top bag and press down with the
 bottom of a skillet to form a circle about 3" in
 diameter. Carefully remove from the bag and transfer to
 a clean cutting board or tray. Repeat with remaining
 dough balls, laying them out side by side. Cover the
 disks with a clean, lightly damp kitchen towel.

 Working one empanada at a time, place about 2 ts
 of meat mixture in the center of the disk. Lift the
 front and back edges and seal them at the top by gently
 pushing them together. Seal the empanada, working from
 the center outward until both ends are completely
 sealed. Gently curve the empanada to form a slight
 crescent with the sealed edge at the top. Repeat with
 remaining empanadas.

 In a large Dutch oven or wok over high, heat 2 quarts
 oil until it registers 375°F/190°C on an instant-read or
 frying thermometer. Using a metal spider or slotted
 spoon, lower empanadas into the hot oil one at a time.
 You should be able to cook about six empanadas per
 batch. Cook empanadas, adjusting heat to maintain an oil
 temperature of 375°F/190°C, until empanadas are crisp
 and golden, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or
 metal spider, transfer empanadas to a paper-towel-lined
 plate or bowl and immediately season with salt.

 Serve empanadas hot, with a bowl of ají and a spoon to
 drizzle the sauce over the empanadas and into them as
 you eat.

 Recipe by J. Kenji López-Alt

 RECIPE FROM: https://cooking.nytimes.com

 Uncle Dirty Dave's Archives

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