Empanadas

These baked empanadas use a simple homemade dough and a beef and cheese filling.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Salt, pepper, or taco seasoning, to taste

Directions

1. Brown ground beef and onion together in a skillet.
2. Season with salt, pepper, or taco seasoning. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
4. In a mixing bowl, add flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir together.
5. Add softened butter and blend together.
6. Slowly add milk until dough forms a ball. If dough is sticky, add more cornmeal.
7. On a floured surface, roll out dough and cut 3- to 4-inch circles.
8. Add cheese to the beef mixture.
9. Place 1 teaspoon of beef mixture in each dough circle.
10. Fold each circle in half and seal edges with a fork.
11. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Variation: Try ham and cheese, pizza toppings, or fruit filling for a different empanada idea.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can cut dough circles and press the edges closed with a fork.