Chorizo and Cheese Empanadas with Avocado Crema

Empanadas are great for parties, as well as a delicious choice for lunch or dinner, needing nothing more than a crisp green salad on the side. Recipe courtesy of Chef Michelle Bernstein.

Recipe Ingredients:

Empanadas:
1 pound ground pork
2 pasilla chile peppers, or other mild dried red chiles*
1 guajillo chile pepper, or other mild dried red chile*
1 onion, cut into large chunks
4 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pound queso blanco, or other mild, semi-hard cheese, grated
Empanada dough, or store-bought empanada shells to make about 48 (6-inch) or 64 (5-inch) empanadas**
All-purpose flour as needed for the work surface
About 6 cups light olive oil

Avocado Crema:
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and quartered
1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
3 tablespoon sour cream
Juice of 1/2 lime
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Directions:

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, toast the chiles, turning occasionally, until blistered and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chiles to a bowl of hot water, cover and set aside for 15 minutes.
2. Remove the chiles from the water and stem and seed them. Place the chiles, onion, vinegar, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor or the jar of a blender and process to purée, scraping down the bowl or jar as needed.
3. Transfer the chile mixture to a large bowl and add the pork, paprika, oregano, salt, coriander, cumin, pepper, and cinnamon, mixing until well combined. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the pork mixture, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula, until no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
5. Meanwhile make the Avocado Crema: In the bowl of a food processor, combine avocado, cilantro, sour cream, lime juice, and olive oil and process to purée, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Add salt to taste and set aside in the refrigerator.
6. Stir the cheese into the pork mixture. Arrange a 5 or 6-inch round of empanada dough or an empanada shell on a lightly floured work surface. Spoon 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of pork mixture on top, moisten the edges of the shell with water, and fold the shell over the filling, pressing it with a fork to seal. Repeat with the remaining shells and pork mixture, flouring the work surface as necessary.
7. Preheat the oven to 200°F (93.3°C). Arrange two or three paper towel-lined baking sheets in the oven.
8. Pour light olive oil into a large, heavy saucepan or small stockpot to 1-inch deep and warm it to 350°F (175°C) over medium heat. Cook the empanadas in batches, turning occasionally and adjusting the heat to maintain temperature at 350°F (175°C), until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheets to keep warm.
9. Serve the empanadas with the avocado crema on the side.

Makes 48 to 64 empanadas.

*Look for dried chiles in the ethnic section of your supermarket and at Latin markets.

**Use Michelle's empanada dough recipe or look for empanada shells—preferably muy hojadrosa (“very flaky”) style—at Latin markets, at gourmet food stores, and online.

Tips:

• If you prefer, you can bake the empanadas instead of frying them. Bake empanadas in a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• To make this recipe more quickly, substitute Mexican-style chorizo for the meat mixture.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Pork, Be Inspired®.