Ham & Cheese Empanadas

Submitted by Legna

"My picky eater loves these, I usually serve this with a salad or vegetable & fruit. I actually get thanked for making these, it's a winner every time. The prep time includes 1 hour chilling dough."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 25mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• Emanada Dough

• 2 cups flour
• 3⁄4 cup cold butter or 3/4 cup margarine
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup cold water

• Filling

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 cup chopped ham (either leftover ham or deli luncheon meat)
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

directions

1. For the dough: Combine flour & butter in a large bowl.
2. Using a pastry blender or a fork, mix until the butter is evenly distributed among the flour.
3. Dissolve the salt & sugar in the water & stir into the flour mix.
4. On a lightly floured surface, lightly knead dough until it forms a ball, adding more water or flour if needed.
5. Cover the bowl with lid or plastic wrap & refrigerate 1 hour.
6. Roll dough out on a floured surface about 1/8 inch thick.
7. With a circle cookie cutter, cut out a 4-inch circle.
8. Continue until you have used all of the dough.
9. For filling: Put parsley, ham, breadcrumbs, cheese, sour cream, egg & pepper into a large bowl.
10. Mix well.
11. Put dough circles on a greased pan.
12. Put 2 Tbsp. of filling in center of each circle.
13. Fold dough circles in half, press & seal with a fork.
14. For egg wash: beat egg & add about 1 Tbsp water.
15. Brush egg wash on top of each empanada.
16. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes, or until golden brown.