Beef And Olive Empanadas

Total Time: 58 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 18 mins

Ingredients

• 6 ounces lean ground beef
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped pimento stuffed olive
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Recipe

• 1 for filling: cook beef, onion & garlic; drain fat; stir in cumin & red pepper; cook & stir 1 minute; stir in olives & tomato sauce; set aside.
• 2 for pastry, stir together flour & salt; cut in shortening until mixture resembles cornmeal. add beaten egg & 1/2 cup water; stir until well combined. turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead 10-12 strokes. divide dough in half; roll 1 portion dough 1/8" thick; cut into 3" rounds; re-roll scraps & cut enough to total 18 rounds; repeat with remaining dough portion. place 1 rounded teaspoon of filling in center of each round; moisten edges with water; fold in half, sealing edges with fork. prick dough and place on ungreased baking sheet. stir together egg & water; brush over empanadas.
• 3 bake at 425 °f for 15-18 minutes can also be deep-fried, if desired.