Abuelita Carmen’s Empanadas

Classic Puerto Rican style empanadas.

This recipe comes from Jessica, my brother Giulian's girlfriend. Jessica is the newest member of my family, showing just how much family continues to change over the years. Jessica's Abuelita Carmen passed this special family recipe down to her, and Jessica has shared it with us. Empanadas are one of my favorite foods and I am so thankful that Jessica has shared this recipe with me.

Ingredients

1lb ground turkey or beef

20 ounces frozen Sofrito

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 tbsp crushed garlic

1/4 white onion, minced and sautéed

15 stuffed green Manzanilla olives, finely chopped

2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 packets Sazon

2 tbsp olive juice

Discos

Corn oil

Directions

In a medium saucepan, brown the meat in olive oil with salt, pepper, onion powder, two table spoons of olive juice and garlic powder. When the meat is fully cooked add minced garlic, crushed garlic, sautéed onions, Sofrito, sazon, olive juice, bouillon cubes and chopped olives. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool completely for at least 6 hours. After filling is cold, stuff discos and seal with a fork. Fry in corn oil until golden brown on both sides.