Seafood Empanaditas

Ingredients for Seafood Empanaditas

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 180ml hot water

• 600ml plain flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 50g lard at room temperature

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

• About 725ml vegetable oil for frying

• 675g small hard-shelled clams (about 2 inches across), scrubbed

• 240ml dry white wine

• 675g cultivated mussels

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 160g chopped spring onions

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 1/2 tablespoons plain flour

• 1 fresh serrano or jalapeño chilli, seeded and finely chopped

• 1/2 tablespoons paprika (not hot)

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 230g prawns, peeled and finely chopped

• 230g sea scallops, tough ligament from side of each discarded and scallops finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

• Equipment: a 4-inch round biscuit cutter

• a deep-fat thermometer

• 1 deep-fat thermometer

• Accompaniment: tomato salsa

How to make Seafood Empanaditas

Stir salt into hot water until dissolved.

Sift flour, baking powder, and sugar into a large bowl, then make a well in centre and add lard and butter. Stir salted water into well with a wooden spoon, melting lard and butter, then stir flour into liquid, adding a little water if necessary, to form a soft and pliable dough. Knead dough on an unfloured surface until smooth and glossy, 3 to 5 minutes (dough will be soft and slightly sticky).

Cover dough with a kitchen towel (not terry cloth).

Cook clams in wine in a medium saucepan, covered, over medium-high heat until just opened wide, about 5 minutes (discard any that remain unopened). Transfer clams to a bowl with a slotted spoon, then cook mussels in same liquid, covered, stirring once or twice, until opened, 3 to 5 minutes (discard unopened ones). Add mussels to clams and strain cooking liquid through a paper-towel-lined sieve into a bowl.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.