Empanadas are a quintessential Argentine appetizer, typically filled with a variety of ingredients, such as beef, chicken, ham, and cheese, or vegetables. These turnovers feature a flaky, golden crust and are baked or fried until crispy. They are perfect for parties or as a street food snack. Empanadas are often accompanied by chimichurri sauce, adding a zesty kick to the savory filling.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (cold, cut into cubes)
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup cold water (more as needed)

For the Filling (Beef Empanadas):

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 500g ground beef
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
• ¼ cup green olives (sliced)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)

Instructions:

For the Dough:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the egg and cold water, mixing until the dough forms. If too dry, add more water a teaspoon at a time.
4. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

For the Filling:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the onions and garlic until translucent.
2. Add the ground beef, cooking until browned and crumbled.
3. Stir in paprika, cumin, and chili powder, seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Remove from heat and mix in chopped hard-boiled eggs and green olives. Set aside to cool.

Assembly:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ⅛-inch thickness. Cut out circles (about 4-5 inches in diameter) using a cookie cutter or the rim of a bowl.
3. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each dough circle.
4. Fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edges to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork or fold them decoratively.
5. Brush each empanada with beaten egg for a golden finish.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown.

Nutritional Information (Per Empanada):

• Calories: ~250 kcal
• Protein: ~8g
• Carbs: ~25g
• Fiber: ~1g

These empanadas are a great snack or appetizer, and you can easily modify the filling to suit your taste!