(Empanadas de Mariscos)
Empanadas were first mentioned in Chile in 1652, and were probably introduced there by the conquistadores. Today, these savory turnovers are a particularly popular Sunday fare.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1⁄4 cup shortening, cut into small pieces
- 1⁄4 cup butter, cut into small pieces
- 2 eggs
For the Filling
- 3⁄4 cup dry white wine
- 2 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed
- 2 dozen mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- 1 lb. scallops
- 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
- 3⁄4 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 3⁄4 tsp. sweet paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
ADVERTISEMENTADAD
Instructions
Step 1
For the dough: Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Work in shortening and butter, using your fingers. Lightly beat together eggs and 1⁄2 cup water in a bowl, then work into flour mixture. Knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step 2
For the filling: Place 1⁄2 cup of the wine in a medium saucepan. Add clams, cover, and steam over medium-high heat. Remove clams as shells open; set aside (discard any that don't open). Add mussels to cooking liquid, cover, and steam. Remove mussels as shells open; set aside (discard any that don't open). Strain and reserve cooking liquid. When cool, remove clams and mussels from shells and coarsely chop. Discard shells.
Step 3
Poach scallops in strained cooking liquid in a medium saucepan over medium heat until firm, 3–5 minutes. Remove scallops, reserving cooking liquid, and, when cool, coarsely chop and set aside.
Step 4
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook until soft, about 15 minutes. Add cumin, oregano, and paprika, cook 1–2 minutes, then add shellfish, 1⁄2 cup reserved cooking liquid, and remaining 1⁄4 cup wine. Season with salt and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 5
Shape empanada dough into 20 small balls. Roll each into a 6" round on a lightly floured surface. Place 2 tbsp. filling in the center of each, dampen edges with water, and fold to enclose filling. Press edges to seal. (Assembled empanadas may be frozen. Defrost before frying.)
Step 6
Heat 3⁄4" vegetable oil in skillet. Fry empanadas in batches, turning once, until golden, 1–2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
- For the dough: Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Work in shortening and butter, using your fingers. Lightly beat together eggs and 1⁄2 cup water in a bowl, then work into flour mixture. Knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- For the filling: Place 1⁄2 cup of the wine in a medium saucepan. Add clams, cover, and steam over medium-high heat. Remove clams as shells open; set aside (discard any that don't open). Add mussels to cooking liquid, cover, and steam. Remove mussels as shells open; set aside (discard any that don't open). Strain and reserve cooking liquid. When cool, remove clams and mussels from shells and coarsely chop. Discard shells.
- Poach scallops in strained cooking liquid in a medium saucepan over medium heat until firm, 3–5 minutes. Remove scallops, reserving cooking liquid, and, when cool, coarsely chop and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook until soft, about 15 minutes. Add cumin, oregano, and paprika, cook 1–2 minutes, then add shellfish, 1⁄2 cup reserved cooking liquid, and remaining 1⁄4 cup wine. Season with salt and pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
- Shape empanada dough into 20 small balls. Roll each into a 6" round on a lightly floured surface. Place 2 tbsp. filling in the center of each, dampen edges with water, and fold to enclose filling. Press edges to seal. (Assembled empanadas may be frozen. Defrost before frying.)
- Heat 3⁄4" vegetable oil in skillet. Fry empanadas in batches, turning once, until golden, 1–2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
Keep Reading
Continue to Next Story
ADVERTISEMENTADAD
