Episode 1.3: Filipino Empanadas & What makes Filipino Food Filipino?

In this episode, I show how to make my Filipino Empanada recipe and talk about Doreen Fernandez's essay “Culture Ingested”.

Filipino Empanadas

Makes ~3 dozen mini empanadas

Ingredients

For Empanada Dough:

• 3 cups flour

• 1/2 t baking powder

• 1 t salt

• 3 T sugar

• 1 c butter (cubed, very cold)

• 6 T ice cold water

• 1 egg + 1 T water for wash

• Salt for topping

For Filling:

• Cooking oil

• 1 c onion, chopped

• 1 c potato, cubed

• 1 c carrot

• 1/2 lb ground beef

• 1 c frozen peas, thawed

• Handful of raisins (more or less)

• 1 T soy sauce

• 1 T tomato paste

• 1/2 c water

• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

2. Cut in butter until butter chunks are well incorporated, making sure to keep the dough cool.

3. 1 tablespoon at a time, add water and knead until dough is formed. You can use hands, but do not let dough become warm. Knead until a ball is formed.

4. Cover dough and put in fridge.

5. Start making the filling. In oil, saute the onion for 3-4 minutes, then add cubed potato and 1/4 cup of water, covering the skillet until potatoes are tender. Water should cook off.

6. Push the potato and onion to the side and cook the beef through, seasoning with salt and pepper. Add carrot and remaining water, then cover and cook until carrot is tender (the water should cook off again).

7. In the last minute of cooking, add the soy sauce and tomato paste, the the peas and raisins. Let cool and drain any excess liquid.

8. Take half of the dough (placing the other half back in the fridge) and roll it out as thin as possible. Use a cookie cutter or glass (or top of a cocktail shaper) to cut circles.

9. Fill each circle with a tablespoon of of cooled filling. Pinch and fold edges, making sure any air pockets are minimized. Repeat with the rest of the circles. Place empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

10. Brush empanadas with egg wash (egg + water) and add a sprinkle of salt. Bake in the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes or until golden (might depend on your oven specifically, keep an eye on them).

11. Repeat with the other half of your dough!