Spicy Turkey Empanada Filling Recipes

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat the oil and saute the onions with the rosemary & thyme.
• Once the onions are soft, add the chicken stock & pepper and saute until the liquid is gone.
• Set aside the onion mixture.
• In the same skillet, brown the ground turkey.
• add about half of the chile relish, the potatoe and carrot.
• Cook over med-high heat, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are about 1/2 cooked. Probably about 10-15 minutes.
• Taste for spicyness/heat. Continue adding chile relish with following steps until you get the desired flavor.
• Add celery, roasted pepper, and onion mixture. Stir together and simmer 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• In a separate bowl beat the eggs. Set aside about 2 Tbsp of the egg to use as an egg wash.
• Mix in mustard, cheese, milk or cream, and bread crumbs.
• Stir mustard mix in to the meat.
• Scoop about 2/3 C of mixture onto a 6" diameter circle of dough.
• Fold the dough over to make a 1/2 circle and crimp shut.
• Put the empanadas on a cookie sheet, about 6 to a sheet.
• Brush with the egg wash (add a little milk to make lighter, a little salt to make shiny).
• Bake in a 400 degree oven 20-30 minutes, until crusts are golden brown.
• OR Freeze in individual bags, or with waxed paper separating individual empanadas in a bag. To cook frozen ones, use a 400 degree oven, just cook a bit longer until hot through and nicely browned.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Sprinkle turkey with salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook turkey, breaking up with a spoon, until brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, olives and jalapeños. Cover; reduce heat to low. Simmer until turkey is cooked through and tomatoes are soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Coat a large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Cut dough into 4 equal portions. Pull dough into 4 flat disks, each 8 inches in diameter. Top each round with 1/2 cup turkey filling. Fold dough in half and fold bottom edge over top. Press closed. Transfer to cookie sheet and coat empanadas with cooking spray. Bake until dough is firm and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve with 1/2 cup baby carrots. Store empanadas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Steps:

• Sauté turkey in heavy large nonstick skillet over medium heat until cooked through and brown, breaking up meat with fork, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer turkey to small bowl. Add onion to drippings in skillet and sauté until light brown, about 7 minutes. Return turkey and any juices to skillet. Add tomato sauce and Cajun seasoning; simmer until mixture is almost dry, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Cool completely. Mix in cheese. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• On lightly floured surface, roll out 1 biscuit dough piece to 4-inch-diameter round. Place 1 tablespoon filling on round. Brush half of dough edge with beaten egg. Fold dough over filling to create half circle and seal edges by pressing with tines of fork. Set empanada on baking sheet and cover with damp cloth. Repeat with remaining biscuits and filling.
• Pour oil to depth of 1/2 inch into heavy large skillet. Heat oil over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry empanadas in batches until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels. Serve warm or at room temperature.