Cookbook Review: Empanadas

I love empanadas. Is there anyone who doesn't? They're flaky packages of fried dough with a tasty filling inside. What's not to love?! So when I was asked to review Donna Kelly's new cookbook Empanadas (affiliate link here and below), I was quick to say yes. I'm happy to report that I love the book as much as I thought I would. 

Kelly's book begins with an introduction to empanadas, then offers recipes for different types of empanada dough: fried, baked, masa, and "shortcut" (using prepared tortillas). There are instructions for filling and sealing empanadas. Then, it's on to the fillings. 

The filling options are divided into five categories: Latin Flavors; American Style; Around the World; Celebrations; and Sweet Treats. Each category has a bunch of ideas that sound absolutely delicious. There are also some dipping and drizzling sauces. The photographs throughout the book are gorgeous and made me want to try every single recipe, as soon as possible. 

Obviously, I was not going to be making all 60+ recipes for this review, so I picked one dough (fried) along with one savory filling (Mexican Street Corn, from the Latin Flavors section) and one sweet filling (Cinnamon Apple Pie, from the Sweet Treats section). I made the dough first, since it had to rest in the refrigerator. Then I whipped up my two fillings and let them cool. Both were delicious. (Yes, of course I tasted the fillings before forming the empanadas.) The directions were clear and easy to follow, even for empanada novices. 

  

I rolled and cut the dough, filled it, and then sealed my empanadas. Kelly describes two different techniques for sealing, so I used one for each of the two fillings. That way I could tell at a glance whether each empanada was sweet or savory. 

Then I asked our family frying expert to handle the final step. Steve is far more patient - and skilled - than I am when it comes to frying. 

  

He did a beautiful job. Every empanada came out a gorgeous golden brown. 

Here is a Mexican Street Corn empanada. 

This is a Cinnamon Apple Pie empanada. 

All three deRosiers gave both recipes two thumbs up, for a total of six thumbs. I can't wait to try more recipes from Empanadas!