Mexican empanadas

Beef is probably the most popular filling for empanadas. This take is the kind of thing common in Spanish-American homes.

For the pastry "the dough":
At most Latin food stores you can find frozen empanada dough discs, which are more expensive but also more convenient. Making dough from scratch doesn't taste much different but is obviously more labor-intensive. You can also customize the ingredients by adding spices and herbs to compliment or contrast with the flavors of the filling.
 
For around twenty medium empanadas you'll need:

•     3 cups of all purpose flour
•     ¼ teaspoon of salt
•     6 oz of unsalted butter cut into 12 pieces, fresh out of the fridge
•     1 egg
•     4-5 tablespoons of water
•     1 egg
•     Egg wash: 1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water or milk

Method:
1.    Combine the flour and salt in a bowl or food processor.
2.    Add the butter, egg and water and mix until it forms into a single lump of dough. No especially vigorous kneading is required. 
3.    Roll into a ball and place in the fridge for about half-an-hour.
4.    Roll out the dough on a cutting board and cut out discs around a small plate or with an appropriately-sized cutter.
5.    They can be used immediately or refrigerated/frozen for later.

For the filling:
You'll need:

•     2 pound lean steak, cut into 1 inch cubes
•     1 yellow onion
•     3 Jalapenos, de-seeded and chopped
•     1 green bell pepper
•     1 tablespoon olive oil
•     12 ounces tomato paste
•     1 cup water
•     1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

Method:
1.    In a medium skillet sauté the beef until browned and put aside. Then sauté the onion, green pepper and jalapeno in olive oil until soft.
2.    Add tomato paste, water, meat and vinegar, and cook for 20 minutes.
3.    Allow to cool.

To make the empanadas:
1.    Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2.    Spoon some filling into the middle of each pastry disc.
3.    Fold the dough in half over the top of the filling, forming a pocket. Squeeze as much air out as possible and glue the seal with the egg wash. Crimp the edges with a fork or your fingers for a traditional look.
4.    Glaze the crust with egg wash.
5.    Grease or line a baking tray with wax paper and arrange the sealed empanadas.
6.    Bake for fifteen to twenty minutes or until golden brown.
7.    Serve hot.