Football Fest Empanadas: A Delicious and Portable Snack Perfect for Game Day

These Football Fest Empanadas are a delicious and portable snack that are perfect for game day. The flaky, buttery pastry is filled with a savory meat and vegetable filling and baked until golden and crispy. They're easy to make and are sure to be a hit with everyone. Read on for the full recipe and some helpful tips.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 4-6 tablespoons ice water
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 small bell pepper, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse sand. Add 4 tablespoons of the ice water and mix until the dough comes together. If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
2. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap the disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is browned and cooked through. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside to cool.
4. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out one of the dough disks on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Cut the dough into 4-inch circles using a biscuit cutter or a small glass. Place a spoonful of the beef mixture in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling and use a fork to press the edges together to seal the empanadas. Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake the empanadas for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• For a spicier filling, try adding some diced jalapeño peppers or chili flakes to the beef mixture.
• For a sweeter filling, try adding in some diced fruit or a little bit of sugar to the beef mixture.
• For a crispier crust, try brushing the empanadas with an egg wash before baking.

These Football Fest Empanadas are the ultimate game day snack. The flaky, buttery pastry is filled with a savory meat and vegetable filling and baked until golden and crispy. Serve them hot, with your choice of dipping sauces or toppings, and watch as they disappear in no time. They're sure to be a hit with everyone and will definitely be making an appearance at all of your future game day gatherings. Enjoy!