Cookbook:Chicken and Corn Empanadas

| South American cuisines | Caribbean cuisine

Empanadas, which come from the Spanish word for "bread," are baked or fried turnovers made from bread, pastry, phyllo, or even pizza dough.

Ingredients

 * 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
 * 1 cup diced Oso sweet onions
 * 1 diced red bell pepper
 * 1 teaspoon (hot) crushed red pepper (optional)
 * 1½ cup frozen corn kernels
 * 2 teaspoons oregano
 * 3 cups (1 pound) diced cooked chicken
 * 6 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
 * Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
 * 2 packages (28 ounces) frozen crescent rolls
 * 1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Procedure

 * 1) In large skillet, heat oil and lightly brown onions.
 * 2) Add pepper, crushed red peppers, corn, and oregano. Cook 5 minutes over moderate heat or until liquid has mostly cooked away.
 * 3) Remove from heat; stir in chicken and cheese, season to taste and chill.
 * 4) Unroll crescent dough into two perforated squares.
 * 5) Place one square over second square.
 * 6) Roll out with a little flour to form a single large rectangular sheet.
 * 7) Cut out four circles about 5 inches in diameter.
 * 8) Repeat with remaining package of rolls.
 * 9) Refrigerate circles on waxed paper until firm, about 30 minutes.
 * 10) Spoon ¼ cup filling into center of each circle, leaving a 1-inch border.
 * 11) Brush edges with egg mixture.
 * 12) Fold over to seal, stretching dough slightly.
 * 13) Press edges together while pushing out any air pockets.
 * 14) Seal by crimping with the tines of a fork.
 * 15) Brush top with egg wash. Prick with fork.
 * 16) Arrange empanadas on buttered and floured baking sheet.
 * 17) Refrigerate until ready to bake, up to two days ahead of time.
 * 18) Preheat oven to 400°F.
 * 19) Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until puffy and brown and filling in bubbling hot.

Notes, tips, and variations

 * Use rotisserie-roasted chicken.
 * Oso sweet onions are the winter sweet onion from Chile, in season from January to March. They have record-high sugar content, crisp texture, and mild flavor. Vidalias would be a reasonable onion substitute if Oso Sweet onions cannot be found.
 * You can use this as a base to experiment with any filling or combination you desire.