Spinach and Cheese Empanadas
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 10 to 12 empanadas
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 11 servings
- Calories
- 277
- Total Fat
- 20
- Saturated Fat
- 10
- Carbohydrates
- 16
- Dietary Fiber
- 2
- Sugar
- 2
- Protein
- 9
- Cholesterol
- 66
- Sodium
- 345
- Total: 4 hr 2 min
- Prep: 45 min
- Inactive: 3 hr
- Cook: 17 min
Ingredients
For the dough:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
5 slices bacon, cooked until crisp, drained and crumbled (drippings reserved)
1 1/2 pounds fresh spinach leaves, washed
1/3 cup minced onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cottage cheese, farmer's cheese, or ricotta cheese
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch ground nutmeg
1 egg, lightly beaten
Directions
- In the bowl of a standing electric mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter on high speed until very smooth, pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl, as necessary. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the flour, little by little, and the salt, and process until just combined. Turn the dough out onto a slightly floured surface and knead lightly. Form the dough into a disk, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
- Heat 1 teaspoon of the reserved bacon drippings in a medium nonstick skillet and, when hot, add the spinach. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach is wilted and has released its liquid, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the spinach to a colander to drain. When the spinach has cooled enough to handle, squeeze to release any excess water, then transfer to a cutting board and finely chop. Set aside.
- Add 2 more teaspoons of the bacon drippings to the same skillet, then add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the reserved spinach, crumbled bacon, cottage cheese, salt and pepper to taste and nutmeg and mix thoroughly. Transfer to a mixing bowl and allow to cool thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and, working on a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough to a thickness of about 1/8-inch thick. Using a small bowl or saucer as a guide, cut the dough into as many 5-inch circles as possible. Gather the scraps of dough together and knead lightly to reform the dough into a disk. Roll out as before and again cut as many rounds as you can. You should be able to get 10 to 12 rounds. Divide the spinach filling evenly among the dough circles. Using your fingers, lightly moisten the edges with some of the beaten egg, then fold 1 side over so that the edges meet, and press to seal. Crimp the edges using the tines of a fork and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all of the empanadas are assembled. Brush the tops of each empanada with some of the beaten egg and bake uncovered until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Serve either warm or at room temperature.