Empanadas - Beef Patties with Fried Plantain Chips

Discover the savory delight of beef-filled empanadas served with crispy fried plantain chips—a delicious combination perfect for any gathering or family meal.

Empanadas filled with flavorful beef and accompanied by fried plantains offer a delightful combination perfect for a family dinner. They showcase the rich culinary heritage of Latin cuisine. These hand-held treats, characterized by their golden, flaky crust and savory beef filling, are surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner cooks.

The dough is simple to prepare from scratch using basic pantry staples, but the store-bought dough can also be used to save time without sacrificing the quality of the meal. The beef filling, seasoned with a blend of cumin, paprika, and garlic, enhances the taste with aromatic depth, making each bite irresistibly delicious.

With their sweet and caramelized outside contrasting the savory filling, Fried plantains add not just a side dish but an essential complement, elevating the meal to new levels of satisfaction.

Beyond their mouthwatering flavor and ease of preparation, empanadas and fried plantains also offer some nutritional benefits, making them a delightful option for family dinners. The beef provides a high-quality protein source rich in essential amino acids, alongside valuable minerals such as iron and zinc, which are crucial for maintaining energy levels and supporting immune function.

The plantains, often rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium, contribute to digestive health and help regulate heart function, making this dish not only tasty but also nutritiously rewarding.

By adjusting ingredients, such as lean beef or baking empanadas instead of frying, you can easily tailor this meal to fit dietary preferences or health goals while keeping the family's taste buds delighted. This adaptability, along with the satisfying blend of flavors and textures, secures empanadas with fried plantains a beloved spot at any dining table

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• ¼ cup Red Onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoon Ginger, minced
• 2 Scallions, thinly sliced
• Red hot pepper, minced finely (optional)
• 1-½ teaspoon Curry Powder
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
• Sea Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
• 3 cups Vegetable Oil ( better alternative - Refined Organic Coconut Oil )
• 1 Green Plantain
• 1 Egg
• 2 Prepared Pie Pastry Dough rounds (store-bought or homemade)
  Look for the frozen Goya Empanada Dough Discs ( in the GOYA section of your store)

To Serve:
Scallions, sliced
Lime Wedges

Directions

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet.
• Add red onions, red pepper ( if using ), ginger, and scallions, Cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Add curry powder and stir.
• Add ground beef to a pan and cook it until it is brown and cooked through, which should take about 10 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Set aside to cool slightly.
• Peel the green plantain
• slice the green plantain (lengthwise) thinly.
• In a small bowl add the egg and whisk.
• Roll out the pastry dough and use a round cookie cutter to make 4” circles.
• Put 2 tablespoons of meat filling in the middle of each circle. Close the circles and seal the edges with a fork. Brush them with the beaten egg.
• Heat up 3 cups of vegetable oil in a deep skillet
• Fry plantains in hot oil until they are crispy and light brown. Be careful not to let them burn.
• place on a paper towel to dry and sprinkle with salt while still warm.
• In the same oil you used to cook the plantain, cook the patties until they are golden brown on both sides. Flipping the patties occasionally, making sure they cook evenly.
• place cooked patties on a paper towel to dry
• Repeat with the uncool patties
• Serve hot beef patties with fresh scallions, lime, and plantain chips.

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