Vegetarian Vuelta a España: Pisto Machego Empanadas

by Megabeth on Sep 11, 2011 10:26 AM EDT

Empanadas. If you stuff food into a pastry, I'm so totally there.

The word "empanada" is derived from the Spanish verb empanar meaning "to wrap with bread". So, I guess this is as good a post as any to wrap up my Vegetarian Vuelta a España. I hope ya'll enjoyed it!

Empanadas in Spain can either be made as small finger foods or similar to a pie that's cut into slices.

These little savory pockets are so revered in Spain, that even a 12th century sculptor captured the food in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. From this carving, you could totally tell the upper crust really enjoyed their empanadas.

But, not everyone was allowed to enjoy them...in the same cathedral, these poor guys condemned to the pits of Hell forever tormented by not being able to eat their empanadas because of the leather straps around their necks.

I found many recipes for empanda dough but one thing remained the same - you have to really knead the dough. In fact, I came across this Galacian saying, 'Making love and making dough for empanadas should never be rushed.' Did I just make this post go from PG to PG-13? Wait, why am I worried? This is PdC...nevermind.

I put these empanadas together by adapting a couple of recipes. The pastry is almost bicuit-like when it puffs up in the heated oil. The filling is a traditional pisto a sort of Spanish ratatouille. The pisto recipe makes a lot, but don't be afraid of freezing the leftovers to eat later. It goes well as a sandwich or thrown in an omelet.

Recipe and details on Veggin'...

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love the illustrated history

"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."

by ant1 on Sep 12, 2011 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the Vuelta dishes

I’m entertaining with many of them this coming weekend. Just need to do a gluten free wrap for these suckers for my gluten intolerant friend. Those rice cakes are yum yum btw.

"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton

by sminer on Sep 12, 2011 5:23 PM EDT reply actions