There's a cross-cut of our empanada to show you how the crust, made with lard, flakes beautifully. A joint effort. I cooked the filling ahead. Alex made the dough, formed the empanadas and fried them.For convenience, the empanada dough was mixed in a food processor.
Spread the potato and carrot cubes in hot oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned around the edges.
Scoop out the potato and carrot cubes and move to a plate lined with paper towels.
Pour off the oil leaving only a tablespoonful and reheat.
Saute the onion and oregano with half a teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper for a minute.
Add the garlic and continue sauteeing for another 30 seconds.
Stir in the minced chicken, sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt and quarter teaspoon of pepper, and cook, stirring often, until the meat is lightly browned.
Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until absorbed by the chicken.
Add the fried potato and carrot cubes, and sweet peas to the chicken.
Cook, stirring, for another minute or two.
Taste and add more salt or pepper, or both, as needed.
Make the empanada dough
Dump the flour into the food processor.
Dissolve the salt in ¾ cup of warm water.
Add the lard to the flour and pulse several times until the flour looks mealy.
With the motor running on LOW, pour the salty warm water through the funnel slowly.
Process the dough until all the water has been absorbed.
Sprinkle a little flour on your work surface, dump in the dough and form into a log (don't worry if the dough doesn't look smooth; it will smoothen after resting).
Cut the dough into twelve equal portions.
Roll each portion into a ball.
Place the balls of dough on a plate, cover with cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
Take a ball of dough and, with a rolling pin, flatten into a circle about five to six inches in diameter.
Place two tablespoons of the prepared filling on one side of the flattened dough.
Lift the empty half of the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal.
Take the filled dough in your hand. Fold and twist the edges together, little by little, to form a rope-like pattern (note that folding this way is not a must; the important thing is to really seal the filling inside).
Repeat with the rest of the dough balls and filling.
Fry the chicken empanadas
Heat enough cooking oil in a frying pan to reach a depth of at least three inches.
Fry the chicken empanadas in batches (two to four at a time depending on the size of your pan) for four to five minutes or until browned and puffed. Flip them over midway through the frying.
Scoop out the chicken empanadas and serve while hot.
Notes
Thanks to chef Rick Bayless for the inspiration for the empanada dough.