Pizza Empanada

Submitted by l0ve2c00k

"I ate so many of these when I was a kid! They are so so good. Courtesy of Héctor Rodriguéz @ about.com."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 9-12

ingredients

• Dough

• 3 cups flour (plus a little more for kneading)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup cold water
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 3 tablespoons shortening

• Filling

• 1 (15 ounce) can pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or 2 cups pizza cheese
• 1 1⁄2 cups pepperoni (diced or sliced)
• oil (for frying)

directions

1. In a bowl, beat the water, egg, egg white and vinegar together. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the 3 cups of flour and salt.
3. Cut the shortening into the flour mix with a pastry blender or two butter knives.
4. Make a well in the center of the flour mix and pour the liquid ingredients from the first bowl into the center.
5. Mix the wet and dry ingredients with a fork until it becomes stiff.
6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it just until all the flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth.
7. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but never more than 24 hours.
8. After 1 hour, place the dough on a floured counter top. Roll it out into 1/8 inch thick. Cut the dough into circles with round cookie cutters or biscuit cutters. For large empanadas use 6 inch cutters for empanaditas use 3 inch cutters.
9. Tip: If you want to keep the dough longer than 24 hours, you can freeze it.

10. Filling:

11. Spread a spoonful of pizza sauce on the circle of dough. Do not go all the way to the edge.
12. Sprinkle a spoonful of shredded cheese onto the pizza sauce.
13. Place a couple slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese.
14. Fold the dough and filling into a half circle shape and crimp the edges with a fork. If the edges won't stay sealed you can dip the fork in water before crimping or use an egg wash.
15. Fry the filled empanadas at 360 degrees for 1 to 2 minutes per side. They should be lightly golden. Drain on paper towels.
16. Tip: Do not overfill the empanadas. They will tear and you will lose your filling in the oil.