Monday, August 18, 2014

Ecuadorian Empanas or Empanadas de Viento

Empanada de viento is Ecuador’s version of the popular Latin empanadas.

These delicious empanas from the Andean region, or highlands of Ecuador, are very light.

The name comes from their delicateness and the way they puff with the air when they are being fried.

They can be made either in cocktail size or appetizer size.

In some places they are also sold in giant size, which are very popular among the middle and worker class.

They are a must when preparing a meal around fritada (fried chunks of pork), or with fanesca (vegetable chowder made in Easter time).

You can buy them around the country from food stalls, at the road, on the markets or in the restaurants.

During religious holidays, women from the countryside fry these empanas and sell them in front of Ecuador’s many churches.

And they are indeed puffy and light, just like the wind.


EMPANADAS DE VIENTO


DOUGH

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
¼ cup lard, vegetable shortening, or unsalted butter
¼ cup water mixed with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

FILLING

4 ounces of Chihuahua, Muenster or Parmesan cheese, shredded
¼ cup minced scallions (white part and 1 inch of the green)
½ teaspoon ground annatto (or red sweet paprika to give a bit of color)

Oil for frying
Sugar (optional) for sprinkling

1. To make the dough, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Add the lard and blend together with your fingers to make a coarse meal.
3. Add the lemon water and mix well; adding a little more water if needed to make soft dough.
4. Knead until smooth and eleastic.
5. Cover with a towel and let rest for 30 minutes.

To make the filling, combine all the ingredients in a medium-size bowl.

Making the empanadas

1. Divide the dough into 8 or 24 equal-size pieces.
2. Roll the pieces into balls and cover with towel.
3. On a lightly floured board, roll each ball into a thin round.
4. Put 1 heaping tablespoon of filling in the center for large empanadas and 1 teaspoon for small.
5. Lightly moisten half of the edge with water, fold in half, pressing firmly to seal the edges and crimp with a fork.
6. Place the empanadas on a lightly floured tray and cover with a kitchen towel. They can be assembled a couple of hours before frying and left at room temperature.

Frying the empanadas

1. In a frying pan, heat ½ inch of the oil to 350 °F.
2. Fry a few empanadas at a time, carefully swishing the oil back and forth with a large spoon so that they puff up.
3. Cook for a few minutes, until they are golden on both sides.
4. Remove with a slotted spoon to a platter lined with paper towels.
5. Serve immediately plain, or, in the traditional manner, sprinkled with sugar.

45 comments:

  1. The empanadas look deliciosas! I will have to try this recipe. Thank you!

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  2. Hmmm I think my husband might like these I might guve them a go as a surprise

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  3. These look so delicious! I'll have to try to make them some day. I remember eating something like that when I grew up in Guatemala. They were called bolovanes.

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    1. There are bolovanes here too, Susan. But bolovanes here are pastry. The names change so much from one country to another in Latin America, even though everyone is supposedly speaking the same language :)

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  4. wow. these look really yummy! I've only had empanadas once and they were amaze. Thanks for the recipe because I never would have guessed how to make them.

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  5. Yummy! My mouth is watering right now lol

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  6. YUM! I want to learn to make these!

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  7. I love empanadas~~ Thanks for the recipe!

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  8. I would love to try and make these. Look great!!!

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  9. You sure have opened my eyes to what Equador has to offer in many areas.

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  10. Looks so good. My mother makes the best empenadas.

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  11. Love empanadas so I definitely want to try these! Yummy!

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  12. Oh my goodness that looks delicious! Thank you for sharing!

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  13. STOP IT! Now I am hungry, Ugh. Those seriously look so good. I might have to try these out this weekend.

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  14. These look delicious! Yum! I'm going to have to try them out.

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  15. These look like they would be truly delicious with chocolate and banana in the middle! Am I right?!

    Katie <3

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    1. I have never tried with chocolate and banana. But some people make them with jam and those I do love.

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  16. Those look so good. I just love empanadas!

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  17. Yummy! I love empanadas! This sounds so delicious, crispy and airy! <3

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  18. Empanadas are my favorite but I have never attempted to make them myself. These look yummy!

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  19. these look really good! i don't think we got the full experience when we went to galapagos! :P

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  20. These look so delicious. I freakin' love empanadas !

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  21. These look delicious! My husband would love this recipe!

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  22. Oh man, now I'm craving an empanada so badly and I don't know where to get one around here! My old roommate spent some time in Central America and was a wiz at making them. Guess I better start planning my trip to Ecuador!

    Cat
    http://oddlylovely.com

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  23. Urgh.....this is making me hungry:) I love me some empanadas, but i have never tried to make it as they always seemed so difficult to make. I am definitely pinning this to try it. Thanks for sharing.

    Thrifting Diva
    www.thriftingdiva.com

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  24. I've always wanted to make empanadas. Thanks for the recipe!

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  25. This is something that my hubby would love. :-)

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  26. Ohhh man, those looks so good, What I would do for one of those right now.

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  27. I'll take a giant sized one please! Sounds SO good!

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  28. These sound delish. Wanna cool me dinner sometime? Ha

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  29. These empanadas look so delicious! I would love to try my hand at making them sometime.

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  30. I am a a fan of empanadas and these sound delicious!

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  31. Oh my gosh, I love empanadas! I wish I could have real ones from Ecuador!

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  32. I love empanadas, I haven't eaten them in ages I'll need to make some soon :-)

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  33. I must try these! They sound delicious!

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  34. I love empanadas! There is a local place that makes them here, and they are amazing. Their restaurant is always packed! Thanks for sharing your recipe at Foodie Fridays! I hope to try it soon!

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  35. Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board. Look delicious must try these out.

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  36. These look DIVINE! I love empanadas. They're a weakness. Thanks for linking up with #FoodieFridays!

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  37. I dare you to eat only one!!

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