Empanadas

“In Argentina, there’s a saying: “Quien sabe comer una empanada nunca ensucia el plato,”” which means, “”Those who know how to eat empanadas will never dirty the plate.”” Francis agrees and explains that if you are invited into someone’s home to eat empanadas, and if anything falls on your plate, you’re never invited again. “Not a drop of empanada should be lost because it’s so delicious,” he proclaims. The empanada, a pastry similar to a hand pie or turnover, is probably Argentina’s most emblematic snack. It’s a local tradition that is typically stuffed with meat or cheese fillings. Every region in Argentina is famous for its own version, and here, Francis teaches how to make two of his favorite recipes from Mendoza wine country: baked meat empanadas with onion, eggs, and olives; and fried cheese and onion empanadas. Not only is this family-friendly dish easy to make, but it’s also the perfect meal for the kids or to serve at a party. Plus, Francis teaches how to make llajua sauce, a spicy empanada dipping sauce popular in Northern Argentina and Bolivia.”