Empanadas are a beloved Filipino snack that combines a flaky pastry with a savory meat filling, perfect for any occasion.
This recipe stays true to traditional flavors with a hearty filling of ground pork, potatoes, and a blend of soy sauce and fish sauce for that distinctive Filipino taste. Each empanada is packed with flavors that complement the buttery, golden-brown pastry, making it a satisfying treat for family gatherings or parties.
In this recipe, the filling is a combination of ground pork, diced potatoes, green peas, and raisins, seasoned with soy sauce, fish sauce, and a hint of sweetness from sugar. These ingredients are sautéed together until the flavors meld, creating a rich and aromatic mixture. Encased in a homemade pastry dough, these empanadas are then fried to a crisp, golden perfection, resulting in a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that will surely satisfy your cravings. Serve these empanadas warm with a dipping sauce of your choice, and they are sure to disappear quickly from the plate.
Ingredients
- 500 gram pork mince
- 1 large potato (diced into small cubes)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 hard boiled eggs (sliced)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Pastry
- 4 cups plain flour
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or lard (for shallow frying)
Instructions
Filling
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
- Add ground pork and cook until browned, breaking up lumps with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in potato, green peas, raisins, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in hard-boiled eggs and grated cheese, if using. Let the filling cool completely.
Pastry
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in vegetable shortening or lard until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add water, mixing with a fork until dough comes together. Knead lightly until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten into a disc on a floured surface.
- Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each dough disc. Fold dough over filling to form a half-moon shape. Seal edges by crimping with a fork.
- Brush empanadas with beaten egg wash.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Fry empanadas in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm with a dipping sauce of your choice. Enjoy your Filipino empanadas!
Nutritional Information
- Per serving
- Energy: 568 kcal / 2374 kJ
- Fat: 30.7 g
- Protein: 16.6 g
- Carbs: 57.8 g
