Shredded Beef and Cheese Empanadas

Crispy fried empanadas filled with shredded braised beef and sharp cheddar cheese.

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As much as we think that what we grow up eating is so different from other cultures, there is nothing new that has not been done before. There is no combination that has never been tried and they all have something in common. While empanadas are enjoyed all over the Latin countries they have differences in dough, in how they are cooked and what fillings they prefer. Some are baked, some are fried and some are sautéed or grilled. It all depends on where you are from and how your family made them.

Just about every culture has a meat/veg/cheese filled pastry, such as pierogies, dumplings, meat pies, Jamaican patties or samosas. They are compact, easy to travel with and can be cheap to feed a lot of people. They are also one of the best comfort foods. You can fill them with leftovers and clean out the fridge or get very specific and create a certain kind.

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What ingredients do you need for shredded  beef and cheese empanadas?

• Shredded Beef
• Cheddar Cheese
• Cilantro
• Empanada Dough (frozen in the grocery store)
• Sea Salt
• Pepper
• Oil, for frying

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The Recipe

Heat oil in a pot or table top fryer to 365 degrees. In a large bowl shred the beef. If you need to chop it please do. You do not want big chunks that are hard to bite and tear. Add the chopped cilantro and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix together and taste for seasoning. If needed add salt and pepper.

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Next lay out the empanada dough and place about a golf size ball in the middle. You want to make sure to not get it on the edges and not overstuff them. If there is too much filling, they will not close properly and will open while frying. Fold the dough over and close the edges. I like to roll the edge in and create a rope pattern making sure it is tightly sealed. Fry at 365 degrees until golden brown, flipping over to get both sides golden. Let drain and sprinkle with sea salt.

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Recipe Tips:

• There are so many other ingredients you can fill your pastries with, such as blackbeans and goat cheese, chicken with salsa verde, potatoes and cheese… honestly it's a great easy to use leftover proteins and anything else in your refrigerator!
• Depending on the filling, I usually serve sour cream or some kind of salsa on the side to dip.

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Make Ahead:

• Empanadas are a great app that you can make ahead for parties. They can be stored in the refrigerator if only for a couple of days or frozen for weeks ahead if you really want to be prepared for the holidays.

Storing tips:

• Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for longer.

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