Empanadas Colombianas (Colombian Meat Pies)

Just about every culture has a variation of a meat pie. For example, Jamaican Beef Patties, Cornish Pasties, Chinese Pork Buns, Mediterranean Pide (Pita), and in the US Pot Pie. Even within a region or country the ingredients vary widely. This recipe is one version that my husband likes.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Yields: 20 meat pies

Ingredients

• Dough or Masa

• 2  cups  precooked yellow cornmeal (masarepa)
• 3  cups hot water (almost boiling)
• 1  tablespoon  sazon goya with azafran (3 packets) (optional)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• Filling

• 2  cups white potatoes, peeled and cut into very small dice
• 1  chicken bouillon cubes (Vegeta) or 1  vegetable bouillon cube (Vegeta)
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup  white onion, chopped
• 1  cup chopped tomato
• 1⁄4 cup green onion, chopped
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 2  tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2  tablespoons red bell peppers, chopped
• 1  lb ground beef
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1  tablespoon cumin
• 1  teaspoon  sazon goya (1 packet)
•  oil (for deep frying)

Directions

1. Measure the masarepa into a large bowl, add the sazon, if using, and salt and mix well; add the water and mix to form a dough (it will be a little wet and rubbery); let stand while filling is prepared.
2. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes with water and the bouillon until tender, about 10 minutes; drain, mash slightly and set aside.
3. In a large, heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil; add onion, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, bell pepper, and cilantro.
4. Cook, stirring occasionally until tomatoes break down, about 15 minutes.
5. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, cumin, and sazon; cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fairly dry.
6. Stir in potatoes and mix well.
7. Heat oil (at least 2 inches) over medium high heat.
8. Break off golf ball sized sections of dough (1.5 oz) and roll in your hands into a ball; place between plastic wrap and flatten with the heel of your palm into a 6 inch disc.
9. Peel away plastic from top only and scoop plastic and disc into your palm; place a heaping tablespoon of filling in center then fold disc and pinch closed; slightly flatten to distribute filling.
10. With a slotted spoon, gently lower empanada into hot oil and cook 2 minutes, turning about halfway through (you'll need to cook in batches); drain on paper toweling.
11. Serve warm or at room temperature with recipe Aji (recipe #377331) or Avocado Sauce (recipe #411639) and/or lime wedges.