How To Make Vegetarian Empanadas from Frozen Flaky Paratha
An empanada is a type of baked or fried turnover consisting of pastry and filling, common in Spain, Latin American and Filipino cultures. The name comes from the Spanish verb empanar, and literally translates as enbreaded, that is, wrapped or coated in bread.
Ingredients
| For stuffing: | ||
| Chopped mushroom | 1/2 Cup (8 tbs) | |
| Sweet corn | 1/2 Cup (8 tbs) | |
| Chopped spinach | 3 Cup (48 tbs) | |
| Pan fried paneer/Tofu | 1/2 Cup (8 tbs) | |
| Oil | 1 Tablespoon | |
| Green chillies | To Taste | |
| Garlic | 8 Clove (40 gm) | |
| Finely chopped onion | 1/2 Cup (8 tbs) | |
| Finely chopped red bell peppers | 1/2 Cup (8 tbs) | |
| For flakey puff pastry: | ||
| Readymade paratha/Chapathi | 4 | |
| Whole wheat flour/All purpose flour | 2 Tablespoon |
Directions
MAKING:
For stuffing:
1. At medium to high heat, add oil to a large pan. When the oil is warm, add minced garlic and green chillies to the oil.
2. To this, add onions and bring down the temperature to low-medium. Add salt to taste.
3. When the onions are starting to brown, add the red bell peppers and mushrooms. Let them cook really well.
4. Add the sweet corn, spinach and paneer/tofu. Give everything a really good stir. Continue to stir and cook until the moisture has been evaporated from the stuffing. Make sure to not burn it. Let cool completely
For puff pastry:
5. On a baking tray, dust dry flour. Take out the Kawan Parathas and let them thaw on the baking tray. Sprinkle some dry flour on top of the Parathas so as to not let it become sticky. Be careful, the Flakey Parathas need only 10 minutes to thaw and the Chapathis need only 5 minutes to do the same.
For Assembly and Baking:
6. Prep heat the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Place thawed Parathas on a flat, well flour- dusted surface. Dust some more flour on top of it.
8. Mentally, create two halves of the paratha and place 1/4 the stuffing on one side. This is important as the empanada will be folded over. Make sure to not overstuff. Brush the outer edge of the paratha with water.
9. Fold the empty half of the paratha over the stuffing and gently press down the sides to let them stick. Using a fork press down on the edges to seal the empanada. Flip it over gently and do the same to the other side. Make sure to not tear the edges. If the empanadas are not sealed well, they can burst open while baking.
10. Make some small cuts on the top side of the empanada to let out the steam while baking
11. Place the assembled empanada on a baking tray with your choice of parchment paper or silicon mat or flour dusted on a baking tray.
12. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for all the parathas.
13. Brush the tops of empanadas with milk or egg-wash to provide moisture and make the tops look more brown.
14. Bake the empanadas for 15-20 minutes or till golden brown. Chapathis may take 15 minutes and Flakey paratha may take 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.
SERVING:
15. Serve as a snack with tea/coffee or as part of a delicious meal!
Recipe Summary
