Meat Filled Empanadas

Ingredients

Filling:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large Spanish onions, minced
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup canned, peeled tomatoes
• 1/2 cup green cocktail olives (pimento filled), whole
• 1/4 cup black currants

Empanada Dough:

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 5 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup dry white wine

Directions

Empanada Dough: Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor. Cut in shortening, mixture should be sandy. Add the egg and wine, pulse until dough comes together in a ball. The dough should be pliable; if not add more wine.

Assembly: Separate the dough into 3 balls. Roll the first ball out until it is 1/4 inch thick. With a 6-inch round cutter, cut circles out of all the dough. Remove the edges and save for the next roll. Fill each circle with about 2 1/2 tablespoons in the center of the dough.

Dip a small brush in room temperature water, run the brush around the edge of the dough. Close 1 side to the other forming a half moon shape. Close the edges pressing lightly with the back of a fork.

In a deep saute pan, heat 4 to 5 inches of canola oil on medium high heat to 360 degrees F. Add the empanadas turn over constantly until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.