Pork, Caper and Pine Nut Empanadas
Photography Josh Griggs.
Perfect finger food – a lightly spiced pork mince filling encased in melt-in-the-mouth pastry. It’s hard to stop at just one of these gorgeous little morsels.
Makes: 24 Empanadas
INGREDIENTS
Dough
1¾ cups plain flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon caster sugar
75 grams vegetable shortening (e.g., Kremelta)
90 grams butter, chopped
¼ cup chilled water
Filling
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
½ teaspoon each ground cinnamon, ground cumin, ground coriander and chilli flakes
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon tomato paste
250 grams pork mince
1 cup tinned crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons capers, well drained
¼ cup currants
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted and roughly chopped
sea salt and ground pepper
To assemble
½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
METHOD
Equipment: Grease and line a flat baking tray.
Dough: Pulse the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor to combine. Add the shortening and butter and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the iced water and process until the dough just comes together, adding a little more water if needed. Tip onto the bench and form into a flat disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Cut the dough in half. Roll out one piece on a lightly floured surface and cut out 12 x 10cm circles. Repeat with the second piece of dough. The scraps can be brought back together and re-rolled. Place on the tray, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Filling: Heat the oil in a medium sauté pan and cook the onion and garlic until soft. Add all the spices and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the mince and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Add the tomatoes, capers, currants and pine nuts and simmer over a low heat for 10 minutes until the mixture is quite dry. Season well and set aside to cool.
Preheat the oven to 180°C fan bake.
To assemble: Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the centre of each pastry circle and place 1 teaspoon of mozzarella on top. Brush the edges with egg. Fold to form a half moon and press the edges together then use a fork to tightly seal. Place on the baking sheet and brush with egg. Cook for 25 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden. Serve hot or warm.
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This winter issue of dish is about comfort and connection. Celebrating the best of New Zealand and Australian produce, it brings together recipes from some of our most-loved chefs, including Moroccan Chicken Soup, Mint-glazed Roasted Leg of Lamb, Slow Cooker Braised Red Wine and Miso White Chocolate Cheesecake. Find plenty to carry you through the colder months, from flaky sausage rolls and mushroom pie, to soul-soothing pasta, nostalgic baking, weekend market inspiration and dinner party menus. There’s a spotlight on the Outstanding Food Producer Awards, recipes from Caroline Griffiths’ Midnight Spaghetti, and a deep dive into the difference between Kiwi syrah and Aussie shiraz.



