Hola, cómo está? It seems that you’re out of energy and need to recharge. Well, the best thing to do is to eat fulfilling food. Don’t fret about it, because today (April 8) is National Empanada Day! Discover the history behind this event, learn homemade empanada recipes, and find stores that serve this spectacular Spanish snack near you. So, without further ado, Vamos a Comer (let’s eat) and let the empanada craze begin!
Everything About Empanada
This epic dish is a popular pastry in Spain, a deep-fried or baked treat that becomes even more enjoyable with its various fillings – the very reason it’s so irresistible!
FUN FACT: The word ‘empanada’ comes from the Spanish term ‘empanar’, meaning ‘to coat with bread’, as the dough is folded to encase the filling.
The common fillings for empanadas include beef, tuna, cheese, chicken, and vegetables. However, due to people’s creativity and love for sweets, empanadas with sweet fillings have also become popular. These include apple cinnamon, blueberry, strawberry, and let’s not forget the Filipino favorite, mango! Without a doubt, we cannot resist to trying these recipes on this day.
On the other hand, did you know that the first evidence of an empanada dates back to 100 B.C. in Ancient Persia, one of the oldest inhabited regions in the world? Its first recipe was found in the Spanish cookbook Libre del Coch by Ruperto de Nola in 1521 written in Catalan language (a Roman language spoken in eastern and northeastern Spain in the 12th century). Interestingly, the cookbook stated that the empanada was filled with seafood before.
Happy National Empanada Day!
National Empanada Day is observed every year on April 8th. The best way to celebrate this day is by indulging in various types of empanadas with your family and friends, and, of course, by cooking your version of them. With that, we have prepared simple yet scrumptious empanada recipes, including a Filipino style, for you to try at home. Follow along!
How to Make Your Own Empanada at Home?
For the original Spanish beef empanada recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- For the dough, you need all-purpose flour, Spanish olive oil, salt, and water.
- Then, you will need ground beef, onion, red bell pepper, bay leaf, tomatoes, paprika, hard-boiled eggs, garlic, olives, and parsley for the filling. Don’t forget the salt and pepper for a more aromatic taste.
Making the dough:
To create your empanada dough, mix the three main ingredients: all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil. First, stir the mixture in a bowl using a wooden spoon. Then, once the mixture becomes sticky, transfer the dough onto a flat surface and continue kneading with your hands. Finally, you will know the dough is ready when it no longer sticks to your hands or the counter. Set it aside. Now, let’s prepare the beef filling.
Cooking the fillings:
On medium-high heat, heat the olive oil in a pan. Then, add your onion, bay leaf, and red pepper and sauté until caramelized. Next, add your ground beef along with salt and paprika.
Once the beef is cooked and golden brown, add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes. Then, add the garlic and parsley. After a couple of minutes, you can switch off the heat and add the chopped hard-boiled eggs along with chopped olives. Set it aside.
Preparing the empanada:
Third, get your dough and divide it into six pieces. Flatten each piece of dough and place the beef filling in the center. Following this, ensure that the amount of filling is sufficient, as the dough will be folded later.
Next, seal the dough by folding it in half and pressing the edges with your fingers to form its braid-like shape.
Let’s Bake!
In a baking tray, arrange your empanadas with enough distance between them. Now, brush the tops with egg wash, then bake for 20 minutes. Repeat the same process for the other side. Ta-da! Finally, your Original Spanish Beef Empanadas are ready to serve.
Pinoy Tuna Cheesy Empanadas: Worth to Crave For!
And for the final recipe, here’s an empanada with a Filipino touch. Let’s make a Tuna Cheesy Empanada. Here are the ingredients that you need:
- Ingredients for the fillings include tuna flakes in oil, grated cheese, garlic, finely chopped onions and garlic, diced potato and carrots, green peas, and raisins. For more flavor, you need salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and a cup of water.
- While for the dough, same as the Spanish style but you also need baking powder and cold cuts of butter.
How to create the dough:
First, mix the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt and knead using your hands. Then, add the cold butter and mix again. Keep mixing the dough until it appears soft, then cover it with plastic for 30 minutes.
Steps in cooking the fillings: Next, in a pan with medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil from the tuna. Sauté the garlic and onions until golden brown. Then, add the diced potatoes and carrots, then add water. At this time, wait for 2 minutes and add the raisins, green peas, and tuna flakes. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Set it aside.
Cooking time: Third, once the dough is divided into 6 pieces, you may now add your fillings, following the same process as the Spanish style. Use a fork to press the edges. Lastly, deep-fry the empanadas in cooking oil until golden brown. Voila! Your Pinoy Tuna Cheese Empanadas are prepared and ready to serve.
Where to Order?
Are you looking for a delectable pasalubong for the whole family? Try empanadas available for delivery. Download the LAHAT FOOD app to get started. Then, search for “Hello Beef”, a local store located in Parañaque City. Enjoy their special jumbo bites and premium empanadas available in boxes of 6 and 12. Click here.
You may also search for Family Panaderia to enjoy affordable homemade pastries made with love. Order Chicken Ala King, Pork Cuban, and Tuna Empanada for only P50. Click here.
Happy National Empanada day amigas! To download the app and order, visit this link.
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