Friday, December 4, 2009

Turkey Empanada




Let's see, leftover turkey, check! Leftover pie crust, check! Leftover room in my belly for something so rich and delicious, double check!

I found this on MmmmmCafe and made it that night, grateful for a way to use up that very last bit of turkey. They were easy and fun to make and a total family pleaser, does it get any better than that?

Turkey Empanadas

Ingredients

3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (or turkey)
1 (8-ounce) package shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheese blend
4 ounces cream cheese, softened (I didn't mind the cream cheese, but I could have done without it)
3 oz. green chilies
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
Water

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. In a large bowl, combine the chicken and next 7 ingredients. Unroll 1 piecrust onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 15-inch circle. Lightly brush the edges of crust with water. Place chicken mixture in the center of the round. Fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edges with a fork to seal. (Up to this point, the recipe can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month). Arrange empanada on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle top with cheese, if desired. Bake for 25 minutes.



Palidor at Crazy Asian Gal was sweet enough to give me the honest scrap award. Thanks Palidor! Go check her out, she's a lot of fun and always posting great things. I'm supposed to list ten things about myself. I think I have done this in the past, so I'll try to think of some different things:

1. Next to cooking, I'd say my favorite thing is reading. I could live right in between a Barnes and Nobles and a Williams Sonoma and live happy!
2. I really hope that by the time I reach the end of my life, I can say that I've visited every continent in the world. I love to travel!
3. I'd love to go to cooking school someday, but the show Hell's Kitchen has me really scared to try it, lol!
4. I come from a family of plate sharers, meaning, when you go out to eat with my family, prepare to have just about everyone's fork in your plate at least once. But in return, they expect you to try their dish too. It's one of the many things I love about my family.
5. I have music constantly playing in my house. I'm especially enjoying all of the Christmas tunes playing right now.
6. This is my absolutely favorite time of year. I usually go nuts in the kitchen baking and cooking. This year I'm being a bit more conservative because I don't want to deal with a bunch of holiday weight when it's over!
7. Farmer's Markets are like playgrounds to me, I could spend hours there and leave a happy girl, even if I don't buy anything!
8. I'd rather deal with cold weather than hot weather. Call me crazy, but I get way too grouchy in the heat.
9. Fuzzy socks, slippers and comfy warm jammies are an absolute necessity in my life.
10. If it wasn't for the food blog, I wouldn't push myself half as much to try new dishes.

So there you have it, how to you like that random smorgasbord of facts! I'm going to go ahead and pass this on to the following:

Shelby at Grumpy's Honeybunch
Kim at Stirring the Pot
Melody at Cheat Day Cafe
Kim at The Ungourmet

Go check these gals out, I know you'll love them as much as I do!

27 comments:

Jenn said...

Mmmm...empanada. I want this for lunch.

Palidor said...

That's a tasty way to use leftover turkey. I've never tried colby cheese before. I'll have to keep an eye out next time I go grocery shopping.

I'm with you on #4! When my mom and I eat out, we always order different dishes so we can sample each other's. Do you really wanna visit Antarctica? It's pretty cold there! Then again, given your #8, you probably wouldn't mind. ;-)

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Right with you on #10...and I saved this recipe also...one day, but I am FINALLY out of turkey...

for a few weeks

theUngourmet said...

Yum! Does this ever look tasty! I agree with the jammies and slippers as a must have!

Congrats on your award and thanks for passing it over to me. I've noticed this one on other blogs and have always thought it was a cool one! :D

Katy ~ said...

Teresa, you are just as cute as you can be ~ love the fuzzy slippers and socks and comfy jammies. I'm with you there.

These empanadas look very very good. A delicious way to use up turkey and chicken. YUM YUM

Melody said...

I've been wanting to try something like this. It looks great! Congrats on the award. ;)

Kim said...

Congrats on your award and thanks for passing it on!! I could probably same about the same ten things for myself. I love books,traveling, and farmer's markets too. I also prefer the cold over the heat and humidity any day!

Love the idea for emapandas. They look so flaky and delicious and are a great way for any leftover.

I did try the Alton Brown turkey for Thanksgiving. It was the second time I brined a turkey. Seems like the recipe was a lot more work and I didn't really notice any great or outstanding results. I was expecting some knock-out turkey and it tasted just like regular old turkey to me. I think the only thing that was outstanding about it was the color on the turkey. It was a real pretty golden brown like yours was. It looked great, but tasted normal. Seems like we agree on it, I think ;D

Jennifer said...

Congrats on the award! I love the Q&A stuff, it is fun to get to know my fellow bloggers. I also love the Empanada and the Trifle, I am printing that out right now!

♥peachkins♥ said...

i love empanadas!

Anonymous said...

Yay empanada! I love how versatile turkey is...it can be transferred between all sorts of cuisines! :-)

Erica said...

This looks Great! I will have to try making it for Josh (and maybe a veggie version for me. Great facts. You like the cold more than the hot???? Not me :) I live for a toasty 95 degrees.

Barbara said...

Love hearing all about bloggers! Congrats on the award!
And as far as your empanada recipe is concerned, I say YUMMY!

Anonymous said...

Great way to use leftover turkey!!

Love the new layout too! :D

Happy Saturday!

Sasha said...

Ooh great idea! Looks delicious : )

figtree said...

My turkey is loooong gone..this looks so good I may have to whip this up with chicken tonight!

Joanne said...

I love the idea of using a pie crust as an empanada shell. So much easier than making your own dough!

I also love reading about you. Memes like this are so much fun.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to use leftovers, Teresa! I've got to try this recipe. It sounds absolutely delicious! Congratulations on your award!

Barbara Bakes said...

I love to travel too! I might have to think about that every continent challenge! I love the combination of flavors in the empanada!

Reeni said...

This is the best use of turkey leftovers I've seen! This looks absolutely delicious!

Heather S-G said...

There's all kinds of room in my belly for one of these! It sounds awesome :D Fun facts, too!

Debbie said...

Congrats on the award! The empanadas look delicious. I have always wanted to make them and I have the pie crusts and chicken at home!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I'm making empanadas filled with seasoned ground beef tonight though I fry mine. I make individual ones and customize them for each of us.

Btw, I'm thinking I would prefer mine sans cream cheese as well.

Reading is by far my fave past time even over baking. I don't watch TV and ALWAYS have a book with me. I have to say that I agree or can relate to all of the items on your list.
~ingrid

megan said...

What a great idea for leftovers! I've never made an empanada before (or even eaten one). I don't have any leftover turkey unfortunately, but maybe after Christmas!

Pam said...

What a great idea for leftovers. Yum.

This is my favorite time of year too.

The Blonde Duck said...

I LOVE empanadas!

Kathleen said...

These sound fabulous! I wish I had one right now. Using a premade pie crust makes this easy too! Smart girl!!!!

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

I'm keeping this recipe for the night after Christmas. The thought of another turkey pot pie was sending me over the edge! Thanks.

Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner?
www.MaWhats4Dinner.com