I have had and loved Argentine empenadas. Does anyone have any good recipes for them? Specifically the beef ones, though all of them are good.

Empanada is not only appetizer, it is more often eaten as a satisfying meal. The size of the empanadas in the picture is tiny to be served as appetizers, but most empanadas are sized like a hand, and it serves a hearty meal. This is coming from a person who has lived in South America for 13 years.

Cheese empanadas are everywhere in Chile. Even at McDonalds. Mmmmm.

An Argentinian friend taught me a great time saver: use pre-made refrigerated pie crust and roll it a bit thinner then just use a glass to cut out circles.
Also, do not over stuff it you are frying, they will EXPLODE.

There's a Chilean empanada house down the street from me and I find they're great for those in-between times when you need more than a snack but don't have time for a meal. And yeah, they're hand-sized, kinda like a Cornish pasty or Jamaican patty.

The best empanadas I've ever had were at La Cupertina in Buenos Aires. I've used their recipe adapted in the NYT: http://tinyurl.com/c9l9wnw

This past weekend I made Argentine empanadas for 300 people. It's a super easy recipe to duplicate for a large audience. Everyone loved them!

After traveling to San Juan, Argentina just two hours outside of Mendoza, I was hooked on these little pieces of heaven.

My mom would want me to say that empanadas are Chilean! Just putting that out there :)

Oh lord. I LOVE empanadas. The very idea of them, and their history and what it all represents. I actually ate cheese empanadas in Venezuela, which were delicious.

But...did you know that it all started in Gallicia Spain, with the Empanada Gallega, which is like the grandmother of all empanadas. It's a large version, cut into slices. Usually it features some sort of seafood, but I've come up with some vegetarian versions. They all involve mother flippin delicious sofrito with something else. Artichoke hearts, or mushrooms, or spinach. Lovely any way you slice it!

And the the Spanish colonists took it to Latin America, and it got all mixed up every where they went!

I have some other versions I make that aren't official at all.

Here's one with greens, green olives and pistachios.

And here's one with a cornmeal crust, with butternut squash, red beans and chipotle.

Savory pastries are my favorite kind of food, and empanadas are the perfect example to explain why I feel that way!

These: http://www.canadianliving.com/blogs/food/2012/02/28/recipe-for-classic-chilean-empanadas/

Is there anything better than a meaty empanada (or four?)

I'm from Argentina. We eat empanadas as an appetizer mostly at restaurants, but if they are made at home OR delivered, they are eaten as a main dish. They have a thousand fillings, also, besides the traditional ground beef and onion ones.

http://elnoble.com.ar/index/productos

@ uberest, you'd have to translate the recipe,,, but I assure you it's awesome.
http://www.taringa.net/posts/recetas-y-cocina/9628946/Hice-Empanadas-Caseras-_Foto_Receta_.html
;)

Empanadas are a part of the Puerto Rican food culture as well. I grew up calling them Pastelillos and they were my favorite when I was a kid. Outside of the city you can always find them at food trucks along the road. The most common ones are cheese, picadillo, and pizza. If you're near the coast you have to try the shrimp or crab ones though!

I love empanadas. I served them at my wedding as a cheap appetizer!

Try googling Cornish Pasties for other varieties. Not all British food is bad!