How to Make Empanadas

History of Empanadas
These pastries, filled with seafood, meat,cheese,vegetables or fruit are wildly popular throughout Latin and South America. Thought to have originated in Spain, where the Empanadas Festival is the name comes from Empanar, or to coat with bread.

Empanadas are the traditional Latin version of the ''Hot Pocket'' (an American version). There are also sweet ones filled with guava and cream cheese, apple, pumpkin among other flavors.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Sugar
• Salt
• Lard & Beer   

Procedures
1. Mix the sifted flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl.
2. Blend in the solid butter or lard with your fingers until it breaks up ( there should be no lumps).

3. Place the mixture on a floured surface (knead with the heel of your hand to bring the dough together).
4. Roll out the dough and cut circles about 4-6 inches.

5. Place 2-3 tablespoons of the filling to the center of the circle.
6. Fold over, forming a semicircle, pinch a corner of the dough and then fold the section onto itself.