Step 1

Boil the water, add salt, oil and paprika

Step 2

Add the corn meal and stir until well incorporated. About 3-5 minutes

Step 3

Let the dough cool down and knead it untill the dough is uniform.

Step 4

Season meat with salt and pepper. I like to add paprika and onion salt too.

Step 5

Grill it or pan sear it until it reaches a medium well temperature.

Step 6

peel and cut the potatoes in cubes and boil them with salt until tender.

Step 7

In a food processor, add the meat cut in strips, cilantro and red pepper if using. Grind them until the meat resembles ground beef.

Step 8

Mash the potatoes and mix with the ground beef. Let the filling cool down.

Step 9

Divide the dough in golf sized balls. Flatten them with a tortilla press or a round plate. Use a clean plastic bag or parchment paper to prevent the dough to sticking to your working surface

Step 10

If using an empanada mold, fill the dough with the meat and potatoes in the center and press to create a half moon shape.

Step 11

If you don't have an empanada mold, put the filling in one side of your dough and fold it in half. Press with a round bowl or cap to seal the filling in place.

Step 12

Heat up 3 cups of vegetable oil in a frying pan until they reach about 165 Farenheit

Step 13

Add the empanadas and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown

Step 14

Remove from the heat and place on a paper towel