Empanadas de Viento (Ecuadorian Cheese Empanadas)
Empanadas de viento: Ecuadorian fried empanadas that puff up while frying, filled with fresh cheese and onion and sprinkled with sugar. Served with coffee or colada morada.
Ingredients
For the dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter or lard cubed
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup warm water approximately
For the filling
- 2 cups queso fresco or mozzarella crumbled or shredded
- 1/2 white onion finely chopped
To fry and serve
- vegetable oil for deep frying
- sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Mix the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add the butter and rub it in with your fingers until it looks like crumbs.
- Add the egg and the water little by little, kneading until you get a soft dough that does not stick. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Mix the cheese with the chopped onion.
- Divide the dough into 12 balls and roll each one very thin into 6-inch circles.
- Place a spoonful of filling on one half, fold and seal the edge by twisting it or pressing with a fork.
- Heat plenty of oil to 350 °F. Fry the empanadas one or two at a time, spooning hot oil over them so they puff up, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with sugar and serve hot.