Empanadas

•  Ingredients:
• 1 large potato, diced into 1/4” cubes (or a handful of uncooked fries, chopped
• 400g ground beef
• 1/2 medium onion, grated
• 1 small carrot, grated
• 1 rib celery, finely minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
• 3/4 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (115g) chilled butter, cubed
• 1 large egg, room temp
• 1/3 cup ice water
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Method:

1. Pulse the flour and salt in a food processor. Add the butter, 1 egg and ice water, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Shape the dough into a ball. Tightly cover the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 min.
2. If using raw potato, place potato cubes into boiling water for about 3 min, until tender.
3. Cook ground beef, onion, celery, and carrots in a large skillet. Add potatoes and cook until beef is brown and vegetables are softened (about 8 min total).
4. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and beef broth. Cook 1 minute.
5. Add peas and simmer on medium heat until liquid is absorbed. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Preheat oven to 375° (190°C).
7. Remove dough from fridge and divide into 10 equal parts (60–65g each). Roll each ball on floured surface to make circles of about 7” diameter.
8. Add about 1/3 cup of filling on one side of each circle.
9. Use egg wash to dampen the edge of the dough (about 1/4”wide). Fold the dough in half over the filling. Use a fork to press the edges together. Arrange empanadas on parchment paper and brush with egg wash.
10. Bake 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Cristina’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

 This is the cookie recipe I’ve been looking for. Nice thick cookies that are still soft and chewy. 

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (cold)
• ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 6 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips

Procedure:

Preheat oven to 350F (175C). 

Mix flour, salt, and baking soda in medium bowl. 

Cream butter, white sugar and brown sugar in large bowl. Add egg and vanilla and mix on low. 

Gradually add flour mixture—do not over mix. 

Stir in chocolate chips. 

Chill dough one hour. 

Scoop dough in balls with large tablespoon onto parchment lined baking sheet. 

Bake one sheet at a time, 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly brown. 

Remove from oven and let sit 5minutes on baking sheet.