Sunday, September 03, 2006

my EMPANADA adventure


Empanada is one of my favourite foods. I usually go to Joni’s cake house when I was younger to buy empanada. I also tried Red Ribbon’s empanada, Empanada Royale and Jamaican pies. I love the crispiness of the Jamaican pies. And before I forget, Ilocos empanada is on my list, too.

I read Connie and tita Celia’s entry in their blogs on how to cook empanada. They unselfishly shared their recipe and expertise. I’m really inspired by their entries to try cooking empanadas. Last Monday, I succeeded in cooking this. I combined the knowledge I learned from Connie and tita Celia.

Actually, at first I was hesitant to make the dough/crust. I asked some foodies where I can buy ready-rolled puff pastry. Many told me that I can find it at Santi’s Deli. I called up Santi’s Deli and I was shocked to learn that it’s very expensive. So, I told myself, “hey Lani, you can make the pie crust from scratch, come on try it.”

I admitted that I almost surrender making the crust. It was so hard for me. I don’t have a large working space in my kitchen to roll the pin and flatten the dough. The mess I created in my kitchen was really unbelievable (lol). But when I tasted the cooked empanada, I was very satisfied. I got the right crispiness of the crust and the filling was very tasty (I used ground pork and ground chicken). And the nice thing was even if I put it in the fridge for storing, the crust didn't lose its crispiness (yipeee). My hubby and my son loved it so much.

Ok, do you want to know if I will make/cook empanada again? My answer is Y-E-S. As long as my family loves what I cook, I will always do it for them.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great job done, Lani!!! I 'always' get ready made puff pastry. Me BAD. My excuse? Convenience. Same goes with short-crust pastry too.

Anonymous said...

Lani, Patikim nga. Paborito ko rin ang empanada. Pag bakasyon ko, hahanapin kita.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Bilib ako! Congratulations on your empanadas :) They look great! I know what you mean about Santi's ready made pastry...mas mura ang pawis ko ;)

Lani said...

I'm proud of myself now, Mae (lol)It was really hard. WEll, if it isn't that expensive I will really buy ready-made puff pastry. Imagine, it's more than P500.

Lani said...

Mang Rolly, ok lang basta narito ka sa Pinas, email me at bibigyan kita ng empanada. No problemo!!!

Lani said...

Joey, korek ka diyan, mas mura ang pawis ko. Imagine I will pay more than P500. samantalang nasa P50+ lang ang nagastos ko for the crust. Wais mommy ako hehehe. Pero kung medyo mura iyon doon na talaga ako sa ready-made, ang hirap.

ipanema said...

I love empanada too. I've tried Red Ribbon, pero iba pag lutong bahay. Successful first attempt on the crust huh. congrats on that, it looks yummy. :)

Anonymous said...

Kitams? Eh di kaya mo talagang maggawa ng dough. :) Konting praktis lang yan at yakang-yaka mo. Hehehe!
Mukhang ang sarap nga ng empanada mo ah. Pinirito mo ba o ini-hurno mo?

Anonymous said...

hi lani pwede ba makhingi ng recipe mo ng empanada, gusto ko rin kasi ng homemade empanada...Salamat

Anonymous said...

hi lani baka pwede mahingi recipe mo for empanada fav ng anak ko e...
salamat

here is my emailad;shierly1@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

If you visit the Phils and can't go to Ilocos itself, there is one great tasting ilocos empanada being served at a food stall along New York St., Cubao, Qc. I believe it is Little Pio's. This is at the back of Stella Maris Cubao.