empanadas

Mustang Wendy’s Empanadas

Local foodie, Wendy Wagner-Forreider shares her mouthwatering recipe for empanadas

Ingredients

Dough
  • 3 cups flour (plus a little more for kneading)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons shortening
  • ¾ cup cold water
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 teaspoons vinegar
Salsa Roja
  • 3 stemmed, whole tomatoes, or large tomatillos for a more citrusy and acidic flavor
  • ¼ pound stemmed and seeded Guajillo chilis
  • ¼ cup cilantro stemmed
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 quarts vegetable stock
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Filling
  • 6 chicken thighs
  • 4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup fresh, diced, chard or kale

Directions

Dough Combine flour, salt and shortening in a food processor and pulse until mixture begins to bead and has a sandlike appearance. Combine water, egg, egg white and vinegar into a measuring cup and whisk egg and water together well. Turn food processor on and slowly start to pour water/egg mixture in until gone and dough begins to form. Remove and lightly knead into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Makes approximately 12 six-inch empanadas. Salsa Roja Place all contents into a large pot and bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce to a simmer and continue to cook until mixture reduces by 1/4. Allow mixture to cool and puree in blender. Filling Simmer chicken in salsa roja. Cool, pull meat from bone. Mix in cheese and kale. Empanadas Form the dough into 2-inch balls. Roll them out on a floured surface. Spoon in filling and fold dough over to make a half-moon. Crimp closed. Deep fry at 350° for 5 minutes or bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes. Serve with crème fraîche and remaining salsa roja.