Yummy and Crispy Ilocos Empanada …

The Empanada is one of the famous bread of Ilocos. It looks like a taco shell with fillings inside such as grated papaya or bean sprouts and meats and then fries it until it is crisp. It also put with raw eggs that are placed in the middle and fried with the empanada. Ilocos Empanada is different from the empanada that we saw in the other places because its shell is so thin and crumbly that some people love it. When you taste the Ilocos Empanada you will enjoy the grated papaya, longganisa and the egg it contains. It is better to eat Ilocos Empanada especially if you have it and immerse yourself in Sukang Iloko. Cooking the Ilocos Empanada is a little bit difficult although some of the ingredients are simple because just making the dough it will become challenging because you need to do it well. But once the empanada is cooked you can enjoy eating this food.

For us to learn how to make the Ilocos Empanada here is the ingredient and method.

Ingredients Needed:

For Empanada Dough

1 1/2 cup glutinous rice flour
1/2 tsp. annatto powder or 1 Tbsp. annatto seeds
2 tbsp. cooking oil
1 cup of water
1 tsp. salt

For Empanada Filling

1 pc. green unripe papaya, grated
8 pcs. Ilocos longganisa chopped (remove the plastic)
1 pc. white onion chopped
3 pcs. cloves garlic minced
6 pcs. raw egg
Salt and pepper
Cooking Oil

Kitchen utensils needed:

wax paper
rolling pin

Cooking Procedure:

1. In a pan, put water, cooking oil, salt, and annatto powder and let it simmer. If you use annatto seeds, place them in a metal container with water and let it soak while boiling. After 1 to 2 minutes remove this.

2. Place the rice flour in a pan and mix it using a wooden spatula. Pour water on the rice flour and mix it until it absorbs the water and forms a dough and dry to the touch. Remove it from the heat and wait to cool down.

3. Knead the dough until it is smooth and divide into six equal parts and form into balls. Then separate it.

4. In a pan heat the oil and saute with garlic, and onion, add the longganisa and seasoned with salt and pepper. Check if the taste is just right. Wait for it to cook.

5. For making the Empanadas, arrange the ingredients in separate bowls: longganisa, grated papaya, eggs, and dough. Put a piece of wax paper on a flat surface and place the dough ball. Oil the wax paper and your paper over the dough and flatten it with your palm of your hand. Using the rolling pin roll it until it flattens into a circle with 1/8 the thickness as it makes the thin crust pizza dough.

6. Remove the wax paper on the top surface and fill with grated papaya and longganisa in the center of the dough. Putting the filling for about 1/2 tablespoon each ingredient. After placing the filling, create a hollow space in the center and break the egg and place it there.

7. Fold the empanada into half-circle shape and close the edges. The plastic plate can be used to cut the edges to create a nice rounded edge. Do the same with the remaining ingredients.

8. Fry the empanada until it becomes golden brown and crispy. After it is cooked, remove and place on a paper towel to drain the oil.

9. Serve it hot with the sukang ilocos] a dipping sauce.

10. Enjoy and share it with others !!