Vegetarian Mexicitos for AWED - Mexico

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Vegetarian Empanadas

In Mexico these turnovers are also called Empanaditas.  This is a Mexican Appetizer.  I found this recipe in Better Homes and Gardens' "Off the Shelf Baking" book.  The original recipe did not have a vegetarian filling.  So I decided to use black beans instead.  Added benefit, more fiber and protein than the original version.  My husband suggested to use soy granules, but what can be more Mexican than black beans?  I think I will try his suggestion the next time.

Vegetarian Empanadas Recipe

Prep TimeCook TimeMakes
30 Mins12 Mins12 Empanadas
AuthorCategoryMethod
CalzonesBaking
Vegetarian Mexicitos for AWED - Mexico An easy and healthy recipe for baking vegetarian empanadas with black beans.
Ingredients For Dough (The Outer Cover):
  • 1 Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits 16.3 Oz Package(8 Biscuits Total)
Ingredients For Filling:
  • 1 Black Beans 15.5 Oz Can –
  • 3 Tablespoons Tomato Sauce/Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Chili Powder (I Would Increase A Little Bit The Next Time)
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt (Next Time I Would Use Even Less)
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • Little Cilantro/Scallions
  • 1 Tablespoon Oil
  • As Needed Milk For Brushing, Optional
  • As Needed Salsa, Optional
Preparing for the filling:
  1. Drain the beans from the can in a colander and wash it under running water. Mash the beans with a potato masher or a fork. My little helper was more than happy when I asked him to mash the beans for me.
  2. Vegetarian Empanadas: Mash the black beans

  3. In a skillet add the oil and after it heats add the mashed black beans, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, oregano and garlic powder.
  4. Vegetarian Empanadas:Add ingredients

  5. Fry it for 2-3 minutes until all the ingredients combine well.
  6. Vegetarian Empanadas:Stir the ingredients and cook

  7. Transfer it to a bowl and let it cool. Stir in cilantro/scallions. I didn’t have cilantro so I used scallions instead. The filling tasted very good by itself.
  8. Vegetarian Empanadas:Cooked black beans

Preparing the Empanadas:
  1. Preheat oven to 350F/180C for 15 minutes. Grease a large baking sheet.
  2. Remove the biscuits from the pack as the per the instructions and place them either on a floured surface or in the prepared baking sheet so that it doesn’t stick to the surface.
  3. The original recipe specifies to cut each biscuit in half horizontally (so you will have 16 circles for a box of 8 biscuits) and roll each piece of biscuit on a lightly floured surface into a 4-inch circle. I did try this method but it was a bit difficult to get even shaped circles while cutting.
  4. Vegetarian Empanadas:Cut dough into 2 pieces

  5. Instead I cut each biscuit into 2 pieces using a pair of scissors and rolled them into balls.
  6. Vegetarian Empanadas:Make dough into balls

  7. Then rolled it out into circles.
  8. Vegetarian Empanadas:Now flatten the dough ball

  9. I did have a doubt if handling the dough too much may make the end product very hard. I tried with one turnover first to be sure and it baked very well and it had the same texture as the turnover which was cut horizontally. So I followed the same method for the rest of the biscuits. This method was so easy.
  10. Place about 1 tablespoon filling onto half of each circle. Brush edges with very little milk. Fold opposite side of circle up and over filling and seal edges with a fork.
  11. Vegetarian Empanadas:Glue edges with milk.

  12. I also did not cut all the biscuits at once because I did not know if the filling would be sufficient. So I dealt one by one. I got 12 empanadas, for the filling, i.e., I used 6 full biscuits. The remaining 2 biscuits I just baked it as it is.
  13. Place filled turnovers 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet, brush with milk.
  14. Vegetarian Empanadas:Put them in baking sheet and bake now

  15. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. The aroma was so appetizing. Immediately remove from baking sheet. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Serving warm is key. The turnovers tasted good later also, but it was best when warm. We had store bought salsa at home and the turnovers tasted even better when dipped in salsa.
  16. Vegetarian Empanadas:Serve Empanadas with salsa. Enjoy!

Freezing Tips:
  1. These turnovers can be made ahead and frozen for later use. Prepare it as per the above directions. Let it cool completely on wire racks. Place in an airtight freezer container; freeze for up to 3 months. We ate only 6, so I froze the remaining 6 in Ziploc bags. To reheat, transfer frozen turnovers to an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake, uncovered, in a 350F oven for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
My Notes:
  1. Watch the amount of salt because the canned beans also has sodium and so does the refrigerated biscuits. I used 1/4 teaspoon only, even then it was a bit salty. Either I should have increased the chili powder or reduced the salt.
  2. I used reduced fat buttermilk biscuits.
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31 COMMENTS

  1. Neeta jain

    Please post the recipe of Mexican paste…

    • Madhuram

      Which one are you talking about Neeta?

  2. kajal

    hi,,
    what can i replace in place of buttermilk biscuits?

  3. Dave

    How are these vegetarian if they are made out of buttermilk biscuit dough? That dough has milk in it!

    • Madhuram

      I’m guessing that you got mixed up with vegan and vegetarian.