Fried Mexican Empanadas

Empanadas are a tradition in Mexico and across Latin America. These fried dough hot pockets can be filled with everything from Carne, Chicken to Pork. It's easy to make and you'll ove the flavor. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 1 Hour
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 2 Hours 20 Minutes
Servings: 24
"These fried empanadas are the best! Raisins and eggs make this recipe extra delicious believe it or not!"
INGREDIENTS:
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups water, or as needed
 
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 pinch salt
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup raisins
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped
1 quart oil for frying, or as needed
DIRECTIONS:
1.In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Cut in shortening using a pastry blender, or pinching into small pieces using your fingers, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use a fork to stir in water a few tablespoons at a time, until the mixture forms a ball. Pat into a ball, and flatten slightly. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.2.Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender. Crumble in the beef, and season with salt, paprika, cumin and black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until beef is browned. Drain excess grease, and stir in the raisins and vinegar. Refrigerate until chilled, then stir in the hard-cooked eggs.3.Form the dough into 2 inch balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball out into a thin circle. Spoon some of the meat mixture onto the center, then fold into half-moon shapes. Seal edges by pressing with your fingers.4.Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). Place one or two pies into the fryer at a time. Cook for about 5 minutes, turning once to brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels, and serve hot.

Cuban Restaurant In Cary, NC Bringing the Flavor

There's some pretty Cuban restaurants in the Triangle area the first one is The Havana Grill.

Here's how they describe themselves. Here at Havana Grill we offer our guest authentic high quality Cuban food with fast and friendly service. Winner of several awards such as The Triangle's “Best Sandwiches Award” as well as voted “Best Desserts” award from CitySearch.

Our Cuban restaurant only uses the freshest ingredients.  You’ll love the varied selection we have to offer in our menu. We cover everything from soups, beans, salads and sandwiches, to chicken, beef, pork and seafood. Not only are we known for cooking up delicious food, our Cuban restaurant is known for our Sangrias and Mojitos which are made from scratch! In addition to serving the best Cuban food in the city, we also offer catering services for all occasions including parties, business events, luncheons and more! 

Best part of all is you don't have to break the bank to have great authentic cuban and delicious caribbean home cooking! 
For the best spanish food in the carolinas please visit us!   
We are Family Friendly and our menu specials change daily. 



We proudly cater to Raleigh, Durham, Garner, RTP, Morrisville, Clayton, Cary, Downtown Raleigh, and others.  Give us a call to see if we cater in your area.

Salsa Orizaba Recipe

Our Salsa de Orizaba recipe is featured on the Hispanic Food Network. by Chef Lynne - CookWithUs.com

Salsa de Orizaba
This is our rendition of the peanut salsa we enjoyed in Orizaba. It took quite a few tries to duplicate the taste and flavor, we hope you like the results.



• 8-10 roma tomatoes, cut in half, seeds removed
• 3 – 4 dried guajillo chiles
• 3 – 4 chipotle chiles
• 1 med. white onion, quartered
• 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 1/2 c. Spanish peanuts, roasted
• 1 t. oregano, dried Mexican
• 1 Tbl. coriander, ground
• ½ t. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 t. sea salt, or to taste

Roast the tomatoes, onion and garlic on a hot comal or cast iron skillet. Turn occasionally so they blister evenly. As each ingredient softens and blackens in spots, remove from heat. Allow to cool. Remove papery skins from garlic.

While vegetables roast, submerge guajillo chiles and chipotle chiles in a bowl of very hot water for approx.15 min. Remove softened chiles from liquid, reserve one cup.

Bring 1 cup fresh water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add roasted vegetables,(tomato,onion,garlic) salt, oregano, coriander and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until most of the liquid evaporates. Cool.

While the tomato mixture cooks, chop or crush the roasted peanuts in a molcajete or with a mortar and pestle. (set aside)

In a blender puree the guajillo and chipotle chiles and crushed peanuts in one cup of reserved liquid. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add the tomato mixture to blender and pulse just until blended. Serve salsa at room temperature or refrigerate for up to one week.

Makes 3 cups

Chile Relleno Recipe

This Chile Relleno Recipe is one that will warm the soul. This Mexican Recipe is one that is very popular in Mexico and abroad. It has made its way into kitchen across the United States. Enjoy!!!

Chile Relleno
Total Time:
40 min
Prep:
20 min
Cook:
20 min

Yield:4 servings
Level:Intermediate
Ingredients

4 pasilla chiles
1 pound queso fresco cheese
Toothpicks
3 eggs
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup oil
Tomato sauce:
4 medium Roma tomatoes, halved
1 cup water
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon chicken broth powder
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon chopped oregano leaves
Directions

Rice and beans, for serving, if desired

Heat grill to medium.

Grill and char the chiles on both sides. Once blackened put in a plastic bag for 10 minutes to sweat out any moisture. Remove from the bag, slit them down the middle and remove the seeds. Stuff the peppers with the queso fresco and use toothpicks to hold them together.

Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Add the egg whites to a large bowl. Reserve the egg yolks. Beat the egg whites with an electric beater until the whites fluff up. Add in the flour and the egg yolks and mix until completely incorporated.

Add the oil to a frying pan over medium heat. Dip the stuffed peppers into the batter and fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the oil to a serving platter.

Tomato sauce:

Add the tomatoes and water to a small pot over medium heat. Simmer the tomatoes until soft and stir in the garlic and chicken broth powder.

Add the 1/4 cup of oil to a frying pan, over low heat, and stir in the flour to make a roux mixture. Cook the flour until browned, then add the tomato sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes and then add the oregano.

Pour the tomato sauce over the cooked chile rellenos on the serving platter and serve.

If desired, serve with rice and beans.

This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

Recipe courtesy Carla Rodriguez, owner of Mom's Tamales in Los Angeles, CA.