Empanadillas Con Cuban Picadillo (Ground Beef)

This is a must at Cuban birthday parties.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• PASTRY

• 3  cups unbleached flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  lard (or shortening)
• 3⁄4 cup cold water
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice or 1  tablespoon vinegar
• 2  egg yolks

• FILLING

• 2  tablespoons annatto oil
• 1  lb ground beef, any ground meat will do
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
•  freshly grated black pepper, to taste
•  cayenne, to taste
• 1  cup  finely chopped onion
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  large green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1  jalapeno chile, finely chopped
• 4  tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1⁄4 cup raisins
• 3  tablespoons red wine
• 1  cup  pimento stuffed olive, chopped
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1  tablespoon milk (cream or water)

Directions

1. Pastry:
2. Combine flour and salt. Cut in lard (or shortening).
3. Combine water with lemon juice (or vinegar) and yolks and mix well.
4. Add to flour and, with your hands, form into a ball and chill for 30 minutes.
5. Cut ball in half and roll into large thin 16 x 20-inch rectangle.
6. Cut into 4 x 4 inch squares and chill until filling is ready.
7. Filling:
8. Heat oil in large skillet and brown beef well, 1/3 at a time.
9. Add salt, pepper and cayenne to taste and remove from pan.
10. Saute onions, garlic , pepper and chile until soft.
11. Return meat and any juices to pan.
12. Add tomatoes, raisins, and vinegar.
13. Cook until meat is very tender,30 to 45 minute.
14. Stir in olives and cook for another 10 minute.
15. Cool to room temperature.
16. Assembly:
17. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling in pastry squares.
18. Fold over and seal.
19. Trim any excess pastry but keep triangle shape.
20. Mix egg and milk (or cream or water) for an egg wash and brush it onto the turnovers. Place on greased cookie sheets.
21. Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 15 minutes until golden.
22. Serve warm or at room temperature.