Traditional Dominican Food

Empanadas

Although they are eaten all over Latin America, there is a whole culture behind empanadas in the Dominican Republic. You can find people selling them on every street corner, and with all the fillings you could imagine. The empanadas or rellenos are crunchy and delicious. They are made by folding the dough around a filling (cheese, ham, stripe chicken, bacon, pizza sauce, you name it) and deep-frying it for a few minutes. Simple and yummy.

For the dough:

3 cups flour

1 1/2 stick butter, softened

2 eggs

1/2 cup cold water

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

For the beef filling:

1/2 lb ground beef

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon oregano

2 teaspoons garlic, minced

2 teaspoons oil

2 tablespoons Muir Glen™ organic tomato paste

Steps

1. For the dough: Mix flour and softened butter with a fork.
2. Add 2 eggs and mix with your hands.
3. Mix water until you can form a dough ball. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
4. Roll the dough on a floured surface until it is about 1/8 inch thick.
5. Cut circles of about 6 inches in diameter.
6. Roll the excess dough again and keep cutting circles until all is used.
7. Fill half of the circles with beef or your filling of choice, ensuring you leave at least 1/2 inch around.
8. Wet the edge, fold to form a half-moon shape, and seal with a fork.
9. Use a deep pan with very hot oil to fry them until golden brown.
10. For the beef filling: Season ground beef with salt, oregano, and garlic.
11. Heat oil in a pan and cook beef.
12. When almost done, add the tomato paste.
13. Stir until it dissolves and a sauce forms.
14. Cook until sauce is thick and reduces by half.