Cheesy Beef Hand Pies (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Flaky Dough
01 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
02 -
1 cup (250g) all-purpose flour
03 -
1/4 cup (60ml) cold water
04 -
1 large egg, whisked
05 -
1/2 cup (115g) chilled unsalted butter, diced
→ Savory Filling
06 -
1/4 cup (30g) green olives, chopped, optional
07 -
1/2 small onion, chopped finely
08 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
09 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
10 -
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
11 -
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 -
1/4 teaspoon chili powder, optional
13 -
1/2 pound (225g) ground beef
14 -
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
15 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
16 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
18 -
1/2 cup (50g) shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
→ Assembly
19 -
1 tablespoon water mixed with 1 egg for brushing
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Mix the salt and flour in a big bowl. Add the cold butter cubes and mash them into the flour with a pastry cutter until crumbly. Stir in the egg and water, adding a little more water if it's too dry. Quickly knead, roll into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge for at least half an hour.
02 -
Warm olive oil in a frying pan and soften the onion and garlic. Toss in the ground beef and fry until it loses its pink, pouring out any extra grease. Stir in all your spices and tomato paste, cooking just enough to wake up the flavors. Once it's off the heat, fold in the parsley, chopped olives if you're using them, and the cheese. Give it a moment to cool down.
03 -
Dust a counter or table with flour and roll the dough until it's about 1/8 inch thick. Use a cutter to make 4-5 inch circles. Stack about 2 tablespoons of filling on one side of each circle, fold it over, and press the edges together with a fork to seal them up. Paint the top with the egg mixture.
04 -
Put the empanadas on a baking sheet that's lined with parchment paper, then bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 20-25 minutes until the tops are golden-brown. Let them cool slightly before digging in.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
You can freeze unbaked empanadas and they’ll last up to 3 months.
02 -
Grab pre-made dough from the store if you’re short on time.
03 -
Deep frying works too! Cook at 350°F for 3-4 minutes on each side.