Spinach Empanadas 🌱🥟
Description
These delightful Spinach Empanadas might take a bit of time to prepare, but the end result is well worth the effort! They are incredibly delicious, making them a popular request at any gathering. Plus, they freeze exceptionally well, allowing you to make them ahead of time and reheat them when needed. The prep time listed does not include the time required for the dough to chill. Let’s dive into this scrumptious recipe that is sure to become a favorite in your household.
Time Overview ⏱️
| Preparation Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes | 12 minutes | 57 minutes |
Ingredients 🛒
-
For the pastry:
- 2 cups cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
-
-
For the filling:
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (reserve drippings)
- 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
- 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
-
For assembly:
- 1 egg, beaten with a little water (for egg wash)
- Salsa for dipping
Nutritional Information per Empanada 📊
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 6.6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.8g
- Cholesterol: 22.4mg
- Sodium: 105.6mg
- Carbohydrates: 5.7g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Protein: 2.2g
Instructions 📜
Preparing the Pastry 🥣
- Cream the Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually beat in the flour and salt until the mixture becomes very thick.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it by hand until well combined.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
Making the Filling 🍳
- Cook the Aromatics: In a medium skillet, heat the reserved bacon drippings over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is tender but not browned, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: Stir in the crumbled bacon, thawed spinach, cottage cheese, black pepper, and ground nutmeg. Mix until well combined. Allow the filling to cool completely.
Assembling the Empanadas 🥟
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Roll Out the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
- Cut the Pastry Circles: Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut out as many pastry circles as possible.
- Fill the Pastry Circles: Place approximately 1 teaspoon of the filling on one half of each pastry circle.
- Seal the Empanadas: Moisten the edges of the pastry circles with the egg wash, fold the other half over the filling, and press the edges together with a fork to seal.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the filled empanadas on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining egg wash and prick a small vent in each empanada to allow steam to escape.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake the empanadas in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Serving and Storing 🍽️
- Serve Warm: Serve the empanadas warm with a side of salsa for dipping. The combination of the crispy pastry and the flavorful spinach filling is simply irresistible.
- To Freeze: After baking, allow the empanadas to cool completely. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a large freezer bag, seal, and label.
- To Reheat: Reheat the frozen empanadas on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Yield
This recipe makes approximately 50 empanadas, perfect for a party or to keep on hand for quick snacks and meals. Enjoy the rich flavors and satisfying textures of these delightful spinach empanadas! 🌿✨
