Recipe: Potato and Chorizo Empanadas (Brunch)

Potato and Chorizo Empanadas
posted by Dawn
These are tasty meat pies filled with a spicy sausage and potato filling.
12 empanadas

Filling
1/2 cup diced and peeled red potatoes
1/2 cup low-fat chicken broth (divided)
1 ounce chorizo sausages
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
1 tablespoon water
1 large egg, lighly beaten

Dough
2 cups flour (divided)
6 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable shortening

Filling: In a sauce pan, cover patatoes with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for@ 6 minutes until potato is tender. Drain water from potatos. Place 1/4 cup of broth in a skillet and add sausage. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Add onion and bell pepper and cook 2 minutes. Add cooked potatoes and 1/4 cup broth and cook until liquid evaporates. Chill chorizo mixture while preparing dough.

Dough: Level flour with a knife in measuring cup. Mix 1/2 cup of flour, water and vinegar, stirring with a whisk to combine. Preheat oven to 400 F. In a separate bowl mix: 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and salt, stirring with a wisk. Cut shortening into dough with a pastry blender or 2 knives. Should resemble course meal. Add this mixture to wet mixture and toss until flour mixture is moist. Chill dough in freezer for 10 minutes. Place on floured surface and roll out into a rectangle (18x12).
18. Using a biscuit cutter and cut into 4 inch circles. Spoon 1 Tbl. filling into circles and leave a 1/2 inch border. Seal dough with fingers. Combine water and egg and brush egg mixture over dough to help seal. Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 F. for 20 minutes until golden brown. These can be served in a Brunch Menu with a salad, Bloody Mary's and a cup of fresh frits with whipped cream. Caf au Lait will be great to end the delicious brunch.