Spicy Empanadas

I've been meaning to post this recipe over here for a couple of days. These are delicious. I spend an entire day, triple the recipe and make about 200. They freeze very well and everyone I know wants a dozen. They're also great make ahead appetizers. Great for the holidays.

(If you want to save time, you can buy frozen empanada rounds at Latin markets and they come out just as well as the homemade. I like the Goya brand). I almost always use the frozen dough now - it just saves so much time.

Dough:
4 c. flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 c waterrr
1/2 c butter, softened
3 egg yolks

Mix the dry ingredients and add butter, in a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks and water and then combine with the drig ingredients. Knead until firm. Refrigerate until ready use but bring to room temp.

Filling:

1/2 c chili powder
1 Tbsp. cumin
1/2 Tbsp black pepper
1 Tbsp oregano
1 1/2 Tbs. salt
dash cloves
dash nutmeg
2 c. onions, finely chopped
1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. Worcestire
1/2 c parsley, chopped
2 c. potato, diced very small and cooked
1 c. peas
5 c. sirloin, chopped very fine
1 1/2 c green onions, finely chopped
1 stick butter

for each empanada:
3 raisins
1 slice black olive

Sautee all of the spices in the butter about 5 minutes. Add white onions and sautee until translucent. Add sirloin, sugar, worceschire and cook until the meat is well done. Add peas, potatoes, parsley and green onion.

Roll out dough t 1/4" thickness. Cut rounds to the size of your liking. Spoon 1 1/2 Tbsp. mixture in each, top with raisins and olive, fold over and roll up edges.

Make an egg wash and brush on before baking. Bake @ 350 for about 20 minutes or until golden.

OR: freeze in individual layers on a cookie sheet. When frozen through, put them in freezer baggies. Take out as many as you need and cook from frozen at 350 for about 15 minutes, flip and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Note: the 'Real Deal' is made with a slice of hard boiled egg added to each empanada. I'm just not a fan of the egg so I skip but lot's of folks like it. I've also added a small cheese slice, cheddar, monterrey jack....whatever is to your liking.