Beef Empanadas with Cranberries

These scrumptious, Mexican-style savory turnovers are stuffed with a mildly spicy ground beef filling and sweet-tart dried cranberries.

Recipe Ingredients:

Filling:
1/2 of a (6-inch) corn tortilla, coarsely chopped
1/4 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/2 to 1 serrano chile, finely chopped, seeds and veins removed for less heat if desired
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
1/3 cup beef broth
salt and pepper
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Dough:
3 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crusts
1 egg, beaten

Cooking Directions:

1. Pulse tortilla in food processor until finely ground or finely mince by hand (this will help thicken the beef mixture). Heat small skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add ground beef and cook 3 to 5 minutes or until brown; remove any excess drippings.
2. Add onion and cook 2 minutes. Add garlic, serrano and cumin and cook 30 seconds. Add Craisins and beef broth and bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute at medium-low heat. Add tortilla, season with salt and pepper and cook until thickened, increasing heat if necessary. Stir in cilantro.
3. Heat oven to 400°F (205°C).
4. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or grease. Place 1 pie crust dough on surface and cut into10 rounds using 3-inch cookie cutter. Remove and discard dough scraps. Fill each round with 1 1/2 teaspoons filling. Fold dough over to form half moons, press cut edges together with fork to seal.
5. Place on baking sheet and brush with egg. Repeat with remaining pie crust dough.
6. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Makes 30 appetizers.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.