This is a common favorite of my husband and I. But I sort of dread making this because making the dough from scratch is quite a lot of work for me. But when I actually do, it is soooo good that I somehow forget how strenuous and time consuming the dough making part is. :) This recipe is adapted from Panlasang Pinoy's chicken empanada recipe. I followed his procedure as is except by adding a tablespoon of housing sauce for the filling and placing a strip of cheese with the filling. And it makes it even better.
For this recipe, you will need:
Filling
- 1 1/2 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1 piece medium-sized onion, minced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 cup potato, diced
- 1 cup carrot, diced
- 1 cup green peas
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 piece chicken cube
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1tbsp hoisin sauce
- 3 cups flour
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 6 tbsp water, cold
- 1 piece raw egg
- 1 cup butter, cold
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Let's start making the filling by sautéing the garlic and onion over medium heat.
Add in the carrots and cook for a few minutes..
then add in the potatoes and cook until they are halfway done.
I was using a huge wok so I opted to cook the veggies first. Set the sautéed veggies on the side and cook the chicken until color turns light brown.
Once the chicken is cooked, you can mixed the meat with the cook veggies. Season with the salt and pepper then add the raisins...
and the green peas then mix well.
When everything looks about done, add in the hoisin sauce and mix until everything is well-incorporated.
Now the filling is done! Set aside and let's start making the dough.
Make the dough by combining the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl starting with the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Mix well using a wire whisk.
Cut the butter into small thin pieces place in the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients.(the butter should be cold and solid before doing this)
Add water gradually and mix all the ingredients thoroughly until a dough is formed. You may use a pastry blender to ease the process.
Divide the dough into individual pieces by grabbing a piece from the whole mixture and rolling it in your hand until a spherical shape is formed. Do this until all the dough is consumed. Set aside in a cool place for at least 20 minutes
Flatten the spherical dough by pressing it with your palm against a flat surface. Use a rolling pin to flatten it fully while creating a round shape.
Place a strip of cheese on the center of the dough.
Arrange about a quarter to half a cup of filling at the middle of the flattened dough. Fold the dough so that opposite ends meet, forming a half moon shape.
Like this...
Then press the edges and seal by pinching the edge of the dough
Just like this...
Continue pressing and sealing until the whole side of the dough is sealed.
After all the fillings are consumed, crack the egg and separate the white from the yolk. Beat the egg white lightly and mix a little water.Glaze the crust by brushing the egg wash.
Bake the empanadas for 25 minutes at a 400 degree F preheated oven.
Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Yum! :)
Enjoy! :)
- C ♥
