Flavor Fusions Recipes That Combine Cultures and Cuisines Written by Daisy Polowetzky | Photography by Ella Fling
F
ood is a significant cultural aspect of countries around the world. It is unique in its ability to transcend borders, oceans, and continents to bring people together. In the case of these recipes, flavor and spice know no bounds.
Filipino Beef Empanadas Empanadas are meat- or vegetable-filled pouches of flavor that have been enjoyed throughout South America and Spain for centuries. But, did you know that these hand-held pastries are also a favorite in the tropical islands of the Philippines? While the origins of empanadas trace back to medieval Spain, empanadas were adopted by Filipinos after Spain colonized the Philippines. Filipino-style empanadas often include ingredients different from those in Spain, such as raisins and green peas. Filipino empanadas represent the diversity of the Philippines and the historical ties between Spain and the island country.
Ingredients for filling:
Ingredients for pastry:
2 tablespoons oil (recommended if using meats with a lot of fat) 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 2 plum tomatoes, diced 1/2 pound ground beef 1/2 pound ground pork 4 tablespoons soy sauce Black pepper to taste
3 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed ¾ cup water
Instructions for pastry: 1. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, and butter until it creates a crumbly texture. Add 1/2 cup of the ice water into the dough, keeping the mixer running. Pour in the rest of the ice water and mix until the dough is clumpy but soft (not sticky). 2. Split the dough into two pieces and form them into small disks. Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate. After an hour, roll the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter, make circles.
48 | baked