Empanadas Colombianas

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey reduces fat content while ground pork is often less expensive.

cornmeal

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour increases fiber content; all-purpose flour is more accessible.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt provides similar creaminess with fewer calories.

potato

🥗Healthier: sweet potato

💰Cheaper: mashed cauliflower

Sweet potato adds nutrients while mashed cauliflower is lower in carbs.

Chop cilantro, green onion, and regular onion for the aji.

Peel tomatoes by placing them in boiling water for about a minute until the skin splits.

Remove tomatoes from boiling water, squeeze out juice and seeds, and chop them finely.

Mix tomato juice, red pepper flakes, white vinegar, water, lime juice, salt, chopped tomatoes, green onion, cilantro, and onion in a jar and refrigerate.

In a bowl, combine precooked cornmeal, butter, chicken bouillon, salt, Goya Sazón, and hot water until the chicken bouillon dissolves and the butter melts.

Knead the dough until smooth and soft, then cover and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Chop potatoes and boil until tender, then drain and mash with a fork.

Chop red bell pepper and set aside.

In a skillet, cook ground beef until browned, then drain and set aside.

In the same skillet, add oil and sauté red bell pepper, remaining tomatoes, green onion, and white onion until softened, then add minced garlic.

Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, add mashed potatoes, and season with salt, pepper, cumin, onion powder, and cilantro; mix well.

Cut a plastic ziplock bag in half to create two sheets.

Place a ball of dough between the plastic sheets and press down to flatten.

Add about a tablespoon of filling to the center of the dough, fold over, and use a cup to shape and seal the empanada.

Deep-fry the empanadas until golden-brown, then drain on paper towels.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary