Chicken Empanadas

Easy Chicken Empanadas

If you never made Empanadas, because they just seem too complicated. 

I’m here to change your mindset. These are my semi homemade chicken empanadas, why because I’m using 2 ready made ingredients you can find at your local Mexican market. The first ingredient is 

(masa preparada) prepared masa which is a dough made from freshly ground hominy. 

I always purchase the smooth consistency which is popular for making tortillas, because they also offer a course masa. The second main ingredient is rotisserie chicken, which I shred and sauté with other ingredients to elevate the flavor. Just by using these 2 ingredients you will save yourself a ton of time. 

Of course you can boil your own chicken in water with onion and salt and then shred. And also purchase maseca which is corn flour and make your own masa using the ingredients listed on the bag. 

Makes about 16 empanadas 

INGREDIENTS 

2 lbs bags of masa preparada

1-2 rotisserie chicken (shredded)

3 tomatoes per whole chicken

1/2 medium onion 

Cilantro 

1/2 -1 tsp chicken bouillon

Toppings:

Crema mexicana 

Cheese (queso fresco)

Lettuce 

Spicy salsa 

Begin by chopping the veggies.

In a large skillet add 1 tbsp oil, add onions sauté for about 1 minute, add tomatoes and cilantro cook another 2 minutes. Toss in shredded chicken, combine with veggies, season chicken with 1/2 tsp chicken 

bouillon and taste adjust seasoning if needed. 

 

Turn heat off.

Using the masa preparada, knead dough in a large bowl if needed to soften.

Begin by rolling golf size balls. Now using your tortilla press, lined with a large ziplock bag. 

(If you do not own a tortilla press, it's not a problem use the flat bottom of 2 plates.)

Lightly press golf size balls like your making tortillas, 

but you want a thicker tortilla or the empanada won't hold.

Open ziplock bag fill with about 2-3 tbsp chicken on one side. 

Using the ziplock bag, fold the empanada in half , covering the chicken mixture completely. 

With a fork begin to seal the edges, pressing lightly but careful not to press through.

Line your counter or a baking sheet with parchment paper, place uncooked empanadas while oil heats.

In a large skillet, add plenty of oil, heat on medium heat. Place empanadas and fry until golden brown, should take about 5-6 minutes per side. Keep an eye on them, flip sooner if needed.

Remove from oil, repeat process until all empanadas are fried. 

Place fried empanadas in a plate lined with a paper towel to drain an excess oil prior to serving.

Serve crispy empanadas with your choice of lettuce, queso freso, 

crema Mexicana, and of course a spicy salsa to dip.

(click the link below to try my Salsa Verde)

Salsa Verde

ENJOY! XOXO 

Lasagna with Ground Turkey and Marinara sauce

The beauty of lasagna is you can make it a day ahead without baking, and bake when needed. You can also bake, allow to cool complete and freeze for future meals. I used ground turkey in my recipe because we are not huge red meat eaters, but you can totally sub ground beef instead or even Italian sausage. Also a friend of mine made their meat sauce with red bell pepper and I’ve been loving it since, you can always leave it out. Have fun with it, add ingredients you enjoy!! 

 Another tip: if you're vegetarian, skip the meat and use veggies. 

INGREDIENTS:

Serves 6

1 box lasagna

1 jar marinara sauce 

1 lb ground turkey (can sub with beef if you prefer)

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced 

1 (8 oz) container sliced mushrooms

2 garlic cloves, minced

1tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

Ricotta mixture:

1 (15oz) container of Ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/4 bunch parsley

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste 

Preheat oven at 375. Set water to boil, cooking pasta according to package directions. 

Dice all veggies and set aside.

In a large sauté pan, add olive oil and brown ground turkey, cook thoroughly. 

Season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.

Once meat is cooked, add all veggies and stir to combine, cook about 5 mins. 

Add marinara sauce, bring to a low boil and turn heat off. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

In a small bowl combine Ricotta ingredients and combine.

Set up assembly line: 

  large baking dish (sprayed with oil), ricotta mixture, shredded mozzarella, meat sauce, cooked pasta.

Pour 1 cup meat sauce to bottom of baking dish, layer 5 cooked lasagna noodles, top with spoonful's of ricotta mixture (about 6 spaced out evenly),  finally layer sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese. 

Repeat 2 more layers.

On top layer, pour remaining sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cover with foil. 

Bake for 30, uncover bake for 10 additional minutes.

Remove from oven, cover and allow to set for 10 mins.. if you can wait! 

Serve!

ENJOY, XOXO!