These to-die-for Venezuelan Cheese and Ham Empanadas are filled with gooey cheese and savory ham. This recipe is sure to please just about every cheese lover and will become an instant favorite!!
Happy Tuesday my friends!! Did you have a good Labor Day weekend? Ours was fantastic. Just like these empanadas look!
Weekend highlights:
These Cheese and Ham Empanadas!!
This time I filled the empanadas with a combination of Mozzarella Shredded cheese and ham. This combination is one of our favorites. Simple, yet delicious!
Let’s be honest! Empanadas are always good. No matter what dough they are made of, what filling they have, or if they are baked or fried.
I would never turn down an empanada. But this time the filling was so cheesy and creamy that I cannot wait to make them again. I think what made the difference was the touch of Philadelphia the mozzarella had.
These Cheese and Ham Empanadas are a simple and delicious meal solution for many occasions. Perfect for school lunches, as an appetizer for a get-together, or just something different for dinner.
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Venezuelan Cheese and Ham Empanadas
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 1/2 cup Kraft Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sliced ham, chopped
Dough:
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, see notes)
- 1 1/2 cups Harina P.A.N (pre-cooked white maize meal)
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Oil to fry (I use corn oil)
- Guasacasa for serving (optional)
Instructions
Filling:
- In a medium bowl mix shredded cheese and ham. Set aside.
Make the dough:
- Wash your hands. In a medium bowl add water, salt, and sugar. Mix until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Mix Harina P.A.N, flour, and baking powder in a bowl. Slowly add dry ingredients to the water and mix/incorporate with your hands, making circular movements and breaking with your finger the lumps that may form. Let rest 5 minutes to thicken. The dough should be firm enough holds its shape without cracking when molded. If it is too soft add a little more of harina P.A.N; if too hard add a little more water.
Form the empanadas:
- Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and form into little balls (golf ball size).
- Flatten each ball between two sheets of plastic until it is approximately 5 inches (see notes). Put a heaping spoon of filling in the center of the empanada. Using the plastic sheet, carefully fold over the dough into a semicircle. Trim into a half-moon shape with a knife, or press down with the round edge of a bowl.
Fry the empanadas:
- Heat 2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350º F. Fry the empanadas in batches until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet; keep warm in the oven at 300º F.
- Serve hot.
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Nutrition
This post was sponsored by Collective Bias and Kraft.
