Spinach, Cheese and Leek Empanada

Making an empanada is pretty simple. All it takes is a good filling and the following steps. I'll start with the filling which you can play around with. That's half the fun! Just try not to make it liquidy or it won't come out good. Trust me! And if you make a filling that has juices, drain it before using it!

To make this yummy empanada, first sautee an onion, a leek or two, a red pepper and some garlic, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook under a low flame until the veggies are nice and soft. Then add the frozen spinach. I used a medium package which I defrosted in the microwave.
In another pot you need to make the cheesy bechamel. Melt two soup spoons of butter on a low heat, add 1/4 cup of flour and mix well. If it's too liquidy add more flour and if too dry add more butter. Pour milk in little by little and continue to whisk until thick. I really am not sure how much milk I used, but I am guessing about a cup and a half. If it's too thick just add more milk! When mixed well add a bag of 4 cheeses and mix well. When done mix in with the spinach and veggie mix and let cool.

For the dough you will need to buy two packages of pastry dough for quiche etc. Sprinkle flour on the kitchen counter. Defrost the dough if it's frozen if not just unroll it on top of the flour and then sprinkle some flour on it and rub flour on the rolling pin and roll out the dough. I've found a trick to move the dough without ruining it. Place the rolling pin ontop of the dough, on the edge and fold it over the rolling pin. Roll it so that it spins around the rolling pin. To lay it out just unroll the dough on the tray. I should have taken a pic of this process sorry!

Put a piece of parchment paper on a large cookie pan. Lay out the dough and spread the filling over the dough, leaving a bit of dough on the edges. Place the other sheet of dough on top of it, and roll up the edges, gently folding. Refer to the pic. Then poke the top with a fork, and brush egg over the dough and edges so that it'll come out glossy. Put the empanada in the preheated oven at 356 F or 180 C. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is toasty. Let cool and enjoy!





Don't forget that the art of cooking is playing around with recipes! Take this one and make your own empanada. You won't regret it!!!