Add some flavour to your life with these delicious South American-inspired, spicy beef turnovers – also known as empanadas!

SERVES 24 // COOK TIME 30 min

INGREDIENTS
For the pastry
8 cups flour
2 tsp salt
1½ cups vegetable oil
2½ cups warm water
For the filling
⅓ cup raisins
4 spring onions, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1¼ tsp cumin
1¼ tsp dried origanum
1 tsp coriander
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp brown sugar
1 kg beef mince
1 cup green olives, chopped
1 tsp paprika

METHOD
For the pastry
1. Mix together the flour, salt and vegetable oil. Gradually add the water, mixing, until a dough forms.2. Transfer the dough to a floured surface, and knead until smooth. Wrap in cling film and rest for 1 hour.
For the filling
1. Add the raisins to 1⁄2 cup hot water. Soak raisins until they are plumped up.
2. Heat some oil in a pan and fry the spring onions and onion until soft.
3. Add the spices, tomato paste and sugar. Fry for 1 minute.
4. Add the mince, breaking it up in the pan, and fry over low heat for 10 min.
5. Add the raisins, olives and paprika. Cook for 5 minutes. Season to taste.

To assemble
1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Roll out the dough until 1 cm thick. Press out 8-cm rounds.
3. Spoon 1 tbsp filling into each round. Brush the edges with water and fold into half moons. Press closed.
4. Pull the edges and fold them over again (like you’re making a hem).
5. Brush with egg wash and bake for 30 minutes, until brown and crispy.

If you liked the recipe above then you would also like this South American-style fish ceviche tacos with salsa recipe. Ceviche is a classic South American technique for preparing fish. Try it out for yourself and then use your delicious fish to make these flavour-packed fish ceviche tacos.

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