This is definitely a case of cooking by the seat of my pants.  I was thinking about flavor combinations the other day while snacking on leftover pork roast with caramelized apples when all of a sudden, someone was making some kind of empanada or other. I don’t know of too many flavors that go together like pork and apple, and that’s what gave me the seedling of an idea that grew into a profound, soul consuming, kind of demoniacal need to make this dish.

Unfortunately, as far as I know I’m the first one to try these combinations as an empanda. I scoured the web and all my favorite food blogs looking for something similar or even remotely similar, but there was nothing that I could find as a jumping off point.  I was on my own, which in my case is always the best way to be in a situation like this.

I knew the combination of flavors would work.  The trick was in how much I wanted to bring the traditional flavors of cumin and chilies in with the apple.  Did I want to add some cinnamon to elevate the apple flavor? Why yes. Yes I did.  Cilantro?  Probably should… But in what amounts?  It would be very easy to take this particular combination way to far, and in the process take a great flavor pairing and ruin it completely.

Luckily, I guessed right. The apple and cinnamon pair wonderfully with the more traditional pork filling.  It actually came out tasting a little like i’d used Chinese Five-Spice powder in preparation, but I didn’t.  They were moist, succulent and savory in ways I have to revisit again. And Again.  And again. And… Well, you get the point.

Pork and Apple Empanadas

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. leftover pork roast, shredded. (You may of course, just slow cook 1 lb of pork wrapped in foil in a 250 degree oven for about 2 hours.  Same thing!)
• 2 tsp butter.
• 2 granny smith apples, chopped finely.
• Approximately 1/2 cup chicken stock.
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp light chili powder.
• 2 tsp. cumin.
• 1 tbsp. Onion powder.
• 1 tbsp. Garlic Powder.
• 2 tbsp. dried cilantro leaves.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• 1 pkg. empanada rounds, defrosted. (I get these at the local market in the freezer section.  If you can’t find them, try this recipe.)
• flour, for rolling.
• 1 egg.
• 2 tbsp. cold water.

Method:

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Place 1/2 of the apples and 2 tbsp butter in a 3 qt saucepan over medium heat.  Cook, stirring frequently until the apples are fragrant and relatively soft.  Add pork, cinnamon, chili powder, cilantro, onion powder, garlic powder and chicken stock.  Stir to combine and allow to simmer stirring constantly until heated through and pork has completely fallen apart. Taste for seasoning, add salt, pepper and remaining apples. Remove from heat.

Crack egg into a bowl and add 2 tbsp. cold water.  Whisk together well.  Set aside.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Lightly flour a work surface.  Remove one empanada round from package and place on floured surface.  Dust lightly with flour and roll gently with rolling pin.  place 1-2 tbsp. of the pork filling in the center of empanada round.  Moisten edges of round and fold over, pressing edges together tightly, then crimping with a fork to ensure a good seal.  Move to baking sheet and continue with the rest of the rounds.

(TIP: keep empanada rounds and completed empanadas covered with a slightly damp towel while you are working to prevent them from drying out.)

When all rounds are assembled, brush each lightly with egg wash and place in center rack of oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until dough is golden.  Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Variations:

Need cheese in your Mexican food? Cheddar may not make these better, but i tried it on one that I reheated today and it was most definitely good!  Just reduce the filling to 1 1/2 tbsp. and add a tbsp of shredded cheddar to each round.

Can’t have empanadas without sauce?  Try Pineapple or apple salsa.

What I would have done differently had I thought of it at the time:

I think next time I’ll slice some onions and caramelize both them and the first batch of apples for a deeper, richer flavor and a bit more moisture in the filling.  Otherwise, these were a really big hit.  Give ‘em a shot!