Ham & Cheese Empanadas - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Emanada Dough
2 cups flour
3/4 cup cold butter or 3/4 cup margarine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup cold water
Filling
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 cup chopped ham (either leftover ham or deli luncheon meat)
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 egg, beaten
1 pinch black pepper
1 egg (for egg wash)

Preparation

For the dough: Combine flour & butter in a large bowl.
Using a pastry blender or a fork, mix until the butter is evenly distributed among the flour.
Dissolve the salt & sugar in the water & stir into the flour mix.
On a lightly floured surface, lightly knead dough until it forms a ball, adding more water or flour if needed.
Cover the bowl with lid or plastic wrap & refrigerate 1 hour.
Roll dough out on a floured surface about 1/8 inch thick.
With a circle cookie cutter, cut out a 4-inch circle.
Continue until you have used all of the dough.
For filling: Put parsley, ham, breadcrumbs, cheese, sour cream, egg & pepper into a large bowl.
Mix well.
Put dough circles on a greased pan.
Put 2 Tbsp. of filling in center of each circle.
Fold dough circles in half, press & seal with a fork.
For egg wash: beat egg & add about 1 Tbsp water.
Brush egg wash on top of each empanada.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes, or until golden brown.