Celebrate July 9th with nothing better than a traditional recipe like empanadas, but with a very special filling made from tripe. The dough is very simple to prepare and is perfect for fried empanadas. The secret lies in rolling it out very thin before cutting the circles to form the empanada shells. Refined fat can be found in supermarkets, but you can also use rendered beef fat and process it traditionally by melting it, removing...
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Place the flour on your work surface in a mound, forming a well in the center. Add the room-temperature fat, water, whole egg, and brine into the well.
Combine all the ingredients, starting from the center and gradually incorporating the flour from the edges until you achieve a soft dough.
Knead the dough until smooth, roll it out very thin, and cut out circles of the desired size.
Boil the cleaned tripe in salted water with one white onion, carrot, parsley, and a bay leaf.
In a saucepan, heat the beef fat. Once hot, sauté the other white onion (finely chopped) along with the green onions (also chopped).
Add the peeled and seeded tomato (chopped) and the bell pepper (cut into strips).
Cover and cook over low heat.
Remove from heat and season with salt, pepper, sweet paprika, and cumin. Add the cooked tripe (cut into strips) and finally the chopped hard-boiled eggs.
Let the filling cool completely.
Fill the dough circles with the cooled filling, fold, and seal to form the empanadas.
Fry the empanadas in hot refined fat until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
Roll the dough out very thin to ensure crispy empanadas.
Let the filling cool completely before assembling to prevent the dough from becoming soggy.
Use rendered beef fat for a more traditional flavor.
Can I bake these empanadas instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake them at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown, but frying gives them a more traditional texture and flavor.
What is the purpose of brine in the dough?
Brine adds flavor and helps achieve a tender dough texture.
Can I substitute refined fat with another type of fat?
Yes, you can use butter or lard, but refined fat or rendered beef fat is recommended for authenticity.
How do I clean tripe before cooking?
Rinse the tripe thoroughly under cold water and boil it with aromatic vegetables to remove any strong odors.
Can I use a different filling for the empanadas?
Absolutely! You can use other fillings like beef, chicken, or vegetables based on your preference.
