MEMORIES: “Empanadillas de Corned Beef” or Corned Beef Turnovers My Way! Incidentally, is anyone still eating Corned Beef? (Spoiler Alert: YES, just every now and then.)

This is such a popular “Fast Food Delicacy” in Puerto Rico. I must say that it can be called the Puerto Rican pizza J, since is a complete meal that you can hold in your hand with a napkin and eat it even as you walk. Like a lot of people, I have my own recipe based on what I like to add, like making my dough from scratch. This time though, I made them with corned beef and Goya disc’s; however, other times I’ve also used chicken, shrimp, fish or any protein that you can think of. I don’t know anyone in the island that don’t like “Empanadillas” but then again, I could be wrong! Are you an Empanadilla/Turnover lover?
 
Approximate Prep and Cooking Time: 1 hour
Approximate Cost: $ 11.00 or approximately $1.10 per one Turnover
Difficulty Level:         Easy __X__ Intermediate ____ Advanced
Servings: 10
 
Part A. Turnover Ingredients
1 pk. Goya 10 dough for turnover discs ($1.71)
1 12 oz. can Corned Beef ($5.14)
1 ½ cups diced harsh browns potatoes (.95)
4 hardboiled eggs cut in slices or wedges (.64)
2 tbsp. Tomato sauce (.15)
½ tsp. Oregano (.15)
½ tsp. Paprika (.15)
2 tbsp. Sofrito (.35)
1 tbsp. olive oil (.35)
1 ½ tbsp. Capers and salad olives, drained and rinsed (.25)
1 tbsp. Sliced pimentos (.15)
1 tbsp. water
1 ½ cups of peanut oil to deep fry the turnovers. ($1.00)
Part B: Sofrito/Molido render 1 cup = ($.96)
½ large onion chopped (.20)
5 cloves garlic (.30)
1 handful of Cilantro, chopped (.30)
½ tbsp. olive oil (.16)
Directions to Prepare Sofrito/Molido
In a small food processor or blender, blend all the ingredients listed in Part B. Refrigerate to use in soups and stews at a later time.

Directions to Prepare Turnover/Empanadillas
Add the corned beef to a skillet on med-low, break it into pieces, just like when browning ground beef. Let it cook until is soft.
Add the Sofrito, hash brown, tomato sauce, oregano, paprika, capers, olives and water. Cook for about 10 minutes until the ingredients blend well. Turn off, let it cool down.

Directions to Assemble the Turnover/Empanadillas
Defrost the Goya dough disks.
Sprinkle a tsp. of flour on your counter top and place and spread dough out slightly with a roller.
Place 1 tbsp. of your corned beef filling in the center of the disc, top it with a slice of hardboiled egg, pimento and olive.
Before turning the dough over to form a half moon, using a small brush or your finger, rub water around the whole edge, this serve as glue, and then fold it.
Using a fork, press the edge firmly to seal both sides evenly.
Deep fry in medium heat oil until they look golden brownish.
Serve alone or with avocado and a beer to wash it down.