Puerto Rican Fried Meat Pies

I wonder what Goya Sazon is.

PUERTO RICAN FRIED MEAT PIES (EMPANADAS)

Dough:

3 c. all purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2tsp baking soda 1/4 c. vegetable oil 1 c. warm water

Filling:

1 lb. browned ground beef or cooked shredded chicken 1/2 medium onion, diced 1/2 green bell pepper, diced 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1/8 c. chopped fresh cilantro 1/8 c. sliced green olives salt and pepper to taste 1 tbsp. tomato paste 1 pkg. Goya Sazon with annato

For cooking:

1 c. vegetable oil for frying.

DOUGH: combine all the dry ingredients in electric mixer, add all the wet ingredients. Mix for about 3 minutes until well combined. Dough will form.

Take it out and knead for about 3 minutes, let sit wrapped in plastic-wrap for another 15 minutes.

Divide into 12 pieces, then roll into 4 inch circles.

FILLING: Brown ground beef (drain excess grease), or saut� shredded chicken in 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil. Add all the ingredients and cook for an additional 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Let cool.

COOKING: Pre-heat the oil in a frying pan at about a medium temperature. Place about 2 tbsp. of the filling in the dough and seal the edges with a fork.

Fry for about 5 minutes on each side, then place on dish lined with paper-towels.

Serve. Makes 12 Empanadas.

Contributed by :

 * World Recipes Y-Group