Chorizo Empanadas with Avocado Cream

I found this recipe while browsing tastespotting.com; blog it's off of is www.handletheheat.com. These took a little bit of a time commitment as they had to be made in stages. First the dough, super easy to make, but then chill overnight. Then the filling, and cool completely. Then finally the assembling and avocado cream creation! But I will tell you, they were worth it. Not the re-heated by microwave version, but the right out of the oven goodness! Yes, if you're going to re-heat them, make sure it's in an oven to recover that crisp outer shell, I did 10-12 minutes at 350. These came together beautifully and so delicious. I served with some fresh organic corn on the cob and sliced heirloom tomatoes with a little salt and pepper.


Chorizo Empanadas with Avocado Cream

Dough:

• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• pinch paprika

Filling:

• 1 pound Mexican chorizo, casings removed
• 1 medium yellow onion, minced
• 2-3 medium Yukon gold potatoes (or other waxy potatoes), peeled, finely diced, and boiled

Avocado cream:

• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup half and half
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and roughly chopped
• 2 avocados
• kosher salt

For the dough:
Heat water and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until butter has melted. Let cool slightly. Mix flour, salt, and paprika in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Pour melted butter mixture into flour mixture and mix with your hands until you get a wet, oily dough. Shape dough into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

For the filling:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add chorizo, breaking apart into small pieces, then add onion. Saute until chorizo is cooked through. Turn off heat, add diced and boiled potatoes, and let cool completely.

To assemble:
While the filling is cooling, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a large baking sheet with non-stick spray or line with parchment. Tear off pieces of dough to roll about 20 golf-sized balls. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough balls on a lightly floured surface into 5" circles. Place 2-3 tablespoons of cooled filling into the center of each dough circle. Fold dough over filling to make a half-moon shape and press edges firmly to seal. Crimp with the back of a fork. Place empanadas on baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Let cool.

For avocado cream:
While the empanadas cool, place sour cream, half and half, lemon juice, and jalapeno in the bowl of a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Peel, pit, and dice the avocado and add to blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt. If not serving immediately, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, pressing plastic onto the surface of avocado cream to prevent browning.