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Vegetable Empanadas with Smoked Paprika Dough

Makes 10–12 empanadas
Time 1 hr 45 min
These pretty pies make for a delicious, portable lunch (for picnics or at your desk) or a light dinner alongside a big salad; make smaller empanadas for an impressive appetizer. The dough can be made up to two days in advance, but allow it to come to room temperature before you roll it out.
Ingredients
  • Dough
  • 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 5 tablespoons non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening
  • 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
  • 1 egg
  • Filling
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 bunch greens (such as dandelion, Swiss chard or spinach) cleaned, stemmed and chopped (6–7 loosely packed cups)
  • 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
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Method

Whisk together flour, salt, smoked paprika and turmeric in a large bowl.

Add shortening and butter, and use your fingertips to combine until mixture is pebbly and resembles coarse meal.

Stir in egg and 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons cold water and use a fork to stir until dough holds together (it will be fairly stiff).

Use your hands to knead dough together (on a lightly floured surface or even in the mixing bowl).

Divide dough in half, wrap each half in plastic; and then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add onion, bell peppers, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and oregano, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside (this mixture can be refrigerated for a day in advance).

Preheat the oven to 375°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll out the dough, dusting the work surface and rolling pin with flour as needed, to 1/8-inch thickness.

Cut the dough into 6-inch diameter circles. Gather scraps and reroll them into additional circles.

Combine onion-pepper mixture with chopped greens and feta.

Place about 2 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable filling in the center of each circle, leaving 1/2-inch border on all sides.

Brush the border with water.

Fold the circle over filling, creating a half-moon. Use the tines of a fork to press the edges together and seal.

Make a few small slits on top of each empanada to allow steam to escape.

Transfer empanadas to the prepared baking sheets.

Whisk together egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of water.

Brush tops of empanadas with yolk mixture and top with a scattering of sunflower seeds.

Bake until pastry is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information.
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  • Dough
  • 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 5 tablespoons non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening
  • 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
  • 1 egg
  • Filling
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 bunch greens (such as dandelion, Swiss chard or spinach) cleaned, stemmed and chopped (6–7 loosely packed cups)
  • 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
Shop recipe on Amazon

Exclusively for Prime members in select ZIP codes.