Ditch the salsa and chips and make something really authentic for your Cinco de Mayo party: Cheesy Chicken and Chorizo Empanadas.

What makes an empanada the real deal? Well, way, way back in the 1500’s when Spain invaded what would much later become Mexico, they planted wheat. Lots of wheat. This was the only grain accepted by the Roman Catholic Church for communion wafers (corn was for the lower classes). With all that wheat on hand, the Spanish began making bread and other favorite foods, like empanadas.

By the way… the word “empanada” comes from the Spanish verb empanar, which means to wrap or coat in bread. Okay. History lesson over.

Climb out of that guacamole rut and try these Cheesy Chicken and Chorizo Empanadas. Best part? There are a lot of shortcuts in this recipe. I used store-bought rotisserie chicken and Goya’s Puff Pastry Dough for Turnovers (you can usually find these in Hispanic markets or larger supermarkets).

There’s a step-by-step tutorial below the recipe. Super easy and super delicious… and muy autentico (that means very authentic!).

Tutorial: Cheesy Chicken and Chorizo Empanadas

1. Gather your ingredients: 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (I pulled mine off a store-bought rotisserie chicken); 12 ounces chorizo (Mexican sausage); 8 ounces Chihuahua cheese; 1 package Goya Puff Pastry   Dough for Turnovers, thawed; 1 egg, lightly beaten; chopped cilantro or parsley (optional). (I forgot the egg in this image, but you need an egg).

2. Remove enough meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make 2 cups; set aside.

3. Heat chorizo in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking up meat with a spoon. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently.

4. Remove from heat and drain on a paper towel.

5. Add drained chorizo to chicken and mix.

6. Spray a kitchen grater with anti-stick cooking spray.

7. Grate Chihuahua cheese; set aside. (You can also buy shredded Chihuahua cheese.)

8. Place oven rack in middle of oven. Heat oven to 375°F.

9. Separate thawed dough round on work surface. Roll out each one slightly to make them easier to fold.

10. Spoon meat mixture and cheese evenly onto center of each of the 12 dough rounds.

11. Brush edges of dough with beaten egg.

12. Fold dough into half-moon shape. Press down edges with a fork or twist edges gently to seal. (I tried both.) The fork is easier, the twist is prettier (sometimes).

13. Place empanadas on baking sheets spaced 1-inch apart. Brush tops of empanadas with remaining beaten egg.

14. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and filling is hot. Top with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley if desired.

Empanadas are the world’s go-to fast food: a baked or fried hand-held pastry that can be stuffed with anything you might ever want to eat (and probably some things you wouldn’t).

In Afghanistan they’re called bolani and filled with veggies. In Malaysia, epok epok is sometimes stuffed with canned sardines. Curaçao’s pastechis have a Gouda cheese filling, while in Ghana, they’re simply called meat pies and made with corned beef.

Making empanadas are truly a labor of love because the dough is usually homemade, which takes a little bit of time. When I’m in a hurry, I get a little help and use pre-made empanada dough, which you can find in the frozen-food aisle of almost any ethnic or specialty grocery store.

Using the premade dough really DOES make these a fast food…

 

 

You’ve made your resolutions and promises to take better care of yourself, right?

Here’s an easy four-ingredient flavor-packed snack that will indulge your sweet tooth, but has only 40-calories a serving (and it’s all about portion control!)

I came up with this Light and Easy Guava & Cheese Empanada recipe for my pals at Right@Home, the bilingual website that has everything you need to start your New Year right.

In addition to healthy recipes and exercise tips, the Right@Home website has great ideas to help you clean, organize and reduce all that post-holiday clutter. Want to reinvent your living space on a budget? Check out their smart decorating ideas.

Sign up for email alerts with this registration link so you’re the first to know about the website’s special offers and coupons. Click here to sign up!

A New Year and a healthier, more organized you… with Right@Home, SC Johnson’s online resource for information, tips and offers on their products including Glade®, Windex®, Ziploc®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Pledge®, OFF!®, Raid® and more.

 

 

Had a big shindig the other night and we had a few leftover baked potatoes.

Which got me to thinking… there’s a lot you can do with a leftover baked potato, besides reheat it and eat it as is.

Here are 7 ideas: 

1. Sautéed Skillet Potatoes: Cut into pieces and sauté in olive oil with garlic and chopped onion. Sprinkle cheese on top just before serving (great anytime of the day!).

2. Twice-Baked Potatoes: Halve, spoon out the inside, mash and mix with shredded cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper. Re-fill and bake until hot.

3. Make an Omelet: Remove potato skin and dice the potato, add ham/bacon (or not) cheese and any other leftover deliciousness you find in the fridge.

4. Top a Meatloaf: Remove the skin, mash; add some herbs, butter and cheese and heat. Spread on top of the meatloaf (like frosting) just before serving.

5. Use in a Salad: Cube peeled potatoes and use in a traditional potato salad, salad Niçoise, or chopped vegetable salad with Dijon vinaigrette.

6. Fill an Empanada: A little cooked chorizo, queso fresco and chopped potatoes. Make it easier and use won ton wrappers to make low-fat mini-empanadas.

7. Burritos or Tacos: Mix diced potatoes with seasoned and cooked ground beef , chopped chicken, or chorizo.

What do YOU do with leftover baked potatoes?