Cook Swiss chard empanadas in 4 simple steps
Empanadas, a beloved dish with roots in Spain and Latin America, have traveled the world, adapting to various cultures and tastes. Among the myriad of fillings, the vegetarian and eggless version using Swiss chard offers a nutritious and flavorful option. This dish combines the hearty leafy greens with a delicate pastry for a satisfying meal or snack. Check out the recipe!
Gather the following ingredients
Gather two cups of finely chopped Swiss chard, one large onion, and two minced garlic cloves. Include a cup of grated vegetarian cheese and half a cup of vegetarian ricotta. Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. For dough, you will need three cups flour, a teaspoon of salt, half a cup vegetarian shortening or butter, and three-quarters cup water.
Prepare the dough
Start the empanada dough by combining three cups of flour and a teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Cut in half a cup of vegetable shortening or butter until it looks like coarse crumbs. Slowly mix in water until dough forms. On a floured surface, knead the dough until smooth, then wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the filling
While the dough is chilling, prepare your filling. Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add one large chopped onion and cook until translucent before adding two minced garlic cloves; cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in two cups of finely chopped Swiss chard leaves; cook until they wilt down significantly—season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
Assemble empanadas
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Roll out your chilled dough on a floured surface to about an eighth-inch thickness. Cut out rounds using a bowl or cutter about six inches in diameter. Place some filling on one half of each round; top with grated cheese and dollops of ricotta cheese—fold over to enclose filling—press edges together to seal.
Bake your empanadas
Place the empanadas on a sheet lined with parchment. Brush each with olive oil or butter for a golden crust. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Watch for a golden brown color, indicating they're done. This ensures a crispy finish to your savory Swiss chard empanadas, ready to be savored.