Super excited to share a delicious partnership with an Argentina wine that we recently had the pleasure of learning about, Argento. We were invited to a dinner a few months ago, where winemaker Silvia Corti made us fall in with some super exciting wines from the Mendoza region of Argentina. This personal recipe for Silvia’s Beef Empanadas is a great dish to bring your summer grill out Argentinian style.
Silvia has been making wines for Argento since 2004, prior to receiving a degree in Viticultural Engineers from UNC Mendoza, as well as a Masters in Viticultural Oenology at Agro Montpellier France. Her roots in the wine business grow deep as her family is of Italian descent, and she was introduced to wine when she was a young girl by her grandmother. I completely related to it the same was for me; I just did not become a famed winemaker but rather a consumer of delicious wines, and my grandmother was of Basque descent not Italian. During our time with Silvia, we learned of the many wines of Argento from crisp and lemony Pinot Griogios all the way to big, and bold Malbecs. I am going to focus on the Malbec wine as it pairs really well with this empanada recipe.
We enjoyed a 2011 Reserve Malbec, that was full-bodied, peppery, and had a hint of warmth that reminded us of cardamon. This wine pairs really nicely with the beef-based empanadas, which are hearty but still light enough to be enjoyed before dinner. A little spice kicks them up a notch, while the salty olives add some depth.
When Silvia shared her recipe, I have to admit, I was kind of afraid to make them as I was not sure about the folding of pastry dough. While the recipe is easy to make, and you should not be intimated, it was confirmed that I definitely need to spend some time in Argentina learning how to delicately fold the pastry dough just right. I cheated by using a frozen puff pastry that I favor, as well I used a fork to seal the little pockets of love. Next time, I will make my pastry dough, and hopefully, know how to fold the empanadas perfectly.
Silvia was so excited for us to share our newfound love of Argento wines with you that they wanted to share two gift packs of some of their favorite grilling items. To enter just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter (our first time using it), and you have until August 17th to enter. We will announce the winners on the 19th of August.
More Delicious Beef Recipes
Recipe: Silvia’s Beef Empanadas
* this recipe has many steps, the best thing to do is highlight, copy and paste into a word document and then print. Or email me for a printable PDF.
** Makes 24 small empanadas – perfect for a party!
Ingredients:
Empanada Dough:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup water
1/4 cup lard or butter
½ tablespoon salt
1 egg
Filling:
1 lb ground beef
2 large onions, finely chopped
3 scallions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ cup green olives pitted and coarsely chopped
2 eggs, hard-boiled and coarsely chopped
How To:
Making the empanada dough:
(Cheat tip: buy ready-made puff pastry!)
Mix the flour and salt in a food processor
Add the lard and egg and mix together
Slowly add water until a clumpy dough forms
Transfer to a bowl and knead into a firm ball
Flatten slightly, wrap in cellophane and refrigerate for 30+ mins
Making the filling:
Hard-boil 2 eggs for 8 minutes and leave to cool
Chop the onions, scallions, and green olives
Roughly chop the hard-boiled eggs
Add olive and butter to a pan and heat
Add the onions and fry until translucent, then add scallions
Crumble in ground beef and cook until brown
Add the salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and chili powder
Add the chopped olives & chicken stock
Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes
Once the chicken stock has reduced, add the chopped eggs
Set to one side
Assembling and baking the empanadas:
Preheat oven to 400°F
Lightly sprinkle flour on a flat surface
Roll out the dough into a very thin sheet (no more than 1/8 inch thick)
Cut the dough into circles roughly 5 inches in diameter
Place a heaped tablespoon of filling (careful not to overfill) onto each dough disc
Fold the pastry in half over the top of the filling and seal the semi-circle by firmly pressing the two edges together with your fingers (a few drops of water can help seal the 2 sides together)
Starting at one corner, pinch the two sides together and fold the pastry over itself repeatedly to form pleats (alternatively you can seal with a fork)
Brush the empanadas with egg wash (a whole egg whisked) for a nice glazed finish
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown
Disclaimer ~ Argento Wines supplied us with the wine to taste but did not require us to write about it. This write-up and all opinions belong to us.
zs
Sunday 18th of February 2018
7. Add the SALT, pepper, cumin, paprika and chili powder. There is no SALT in your list of ingredients for the filling.
Sharon B
Friday 1st of August 2014
Can't wait to try these Epanadas!!
Karina Luna
Friday 25th of July 2014
Malbec goes with everything! My favorite red wine!!!
What about just a dark chocolate bar with a glass of Malbec??? my favorite dessert!
Sue
Thursday 24th of July 2014
These look delicious! I can't to try making them! Btw, the recipe doesn't include how much lard is needed for the dough.
admin
Thursday 24th of July 2014
Yikes! Good catch Sue. I just sent a message to Silvia to find out. Stay tuned ... sorry!
Anna
Thursday 24th of July 2014
To be honest, I love a good Malbec with almost anything - it's my favorite wine!
admin
Thursday 24th of July 2014
Right?! We are big fans as well, and are really digging the Argentos!