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Juicy beef and stretchy cheese get wrapped up in crispy golden pockets, giving you a hand-held snack packed with vibrant Latin American taste. Biting through the buttery crust, you'll find a tasty, well-seasoned filling. These are perfect for casual dinners or when you're having friends over for something a bit fancy.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve whipped these up, and people always love them. Seeing friends light up when they bite into the crunchy crust and that filling is my favorite part. Just last week, my picky nephew surprised me by asking for more at our family get-together.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Fresh Spices: Grab new jars of cumin and paprika for a bigger punch—they lose their mojo when they sit too long
- All-Purpose Flour: The protein in this flour helps you get a crust that’s both sturdy and flaky
- Ground Beef: Go for 80/20 meat. That bit of fat gives serious flavor and keeps your filling from drying out
- Quality Cheese: Shred cheddar or mozzarella yourself so it melts smooth—pre-shredded cheese has stuff that keeps it from melting right
- Cold Butter: Use butter with lots of fat (European style’s great) and don’t let it soften till you’re ready
- Fresh Garlic and Onions: These two give your filling an extra boost of savoriness in every mouthful
Amazing Hand Pie How-To
- Shape Everything Just Right:
- Flatten out your dough so it's even, then cut circles for the pastry. Add your cooled filling, leaving enough space around the edges so you can close them up. Pinch and fold the edges tight so nothing leaks once they bake.
- Get That Dough Right:
- Mix all your dry ingredients, then chop in cold butter till it looks like chunky crumbs. Splash in ice water bit by bit, mixing just enough so it sticks together. Let it sit awhile so it relaxes and hydrates properly.
- Flavor Up the Filling:
- Cook the onions and garlic till they smell and look golden. Toss in the beef, breaking it up so it cooks evenly. Let the spices heat up in the pan fat so all that flavor really comes out.
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Growing up, these savory pockets were always a star at family get-togethers. My grandma always said to keep the butter chilly and not to fuss too much with the dough—that’s how you get that perfect crisp bite.
Tasty Sides
Turn your golden hand pies into a real meal with cilantro-lime rice and chilled avocado on the side. If you’re hanging out with a bunch, stack ‘em up on a platter with chimichurri, sour cream, and spicy salsa for dipping. To cut the richness, add a crisp salad tossed in zippy citrus dressing.
Fun Variations
Switch things up: mix in corn and bell pepper for a fun crunch and pop of color. Try using turkey or chicken if you want it lighter, or go veggie with black beans and roasted sweet potato. For the cheese, mash together different kinds—manchego’s nutty, or swap in pepper jack if you want more heat.
Storing Made Simple
Once cool, keep your hand pies in a closed container with parchment between layers so they stay crispy. In the fridge, they’re good for three days. If you want to freeze, lay uncooked ones on parchment till hard, then stash them in bags. Ready to bake? Brush with egg and put right in the oven frozen—just bake a few minutes longer to get them perfect.
After making a ton of these over the years, I’ve figured out patience really does pay off. Chill your dough and seal up each pie so you get that satisfying crisp bite with juicy filling inside. Serve ‘em up for a family night or party, and you’ll have everyone asking for more of that warm Latin American goodness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I freeze these empanadas?
- Totally! Shape and freeze before baking. When you want some, pop them in the oven frozen and just let them cook 5-7 minutes longer.
- → Is it okay to use ready-made dough?
- For sure! Pre-made empanada dough, pie crust, or even some puff pastry will save you time and still taste great.
- → How can I tell if they’re baked through?
- Once they’re crispy and golden after about 20 to 25 minutes at 375°F, they’re good to go.
- → What sides go well with these?
- Dip them in guac, salsa, or a bit of sour cream. They’re awesome with a salad or just by themselves.
- → Can I toss in other fillings?
- Definitely! Add things like black beans, sweetcorn, or some chopped peppers if you want to mix things up.