Chilean Meat Pie

This is a variation of Chilean empanadas that I made to simplify my husband's favorite recipe from his home country. The meat filling is a harmonious mix of beef, raisins, and olives that will make your tongue tingle when you take your first bite. And don't be surprised when you've eaten more of the pie than you had planned.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 714 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup raisins
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup hot water
• 1 pinch white sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 ½ teaspoons white sugar
• 1 cube beef bouillon
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup black olives
• 6 tablespoons cold water, or as needed
• ⅔ cup shortening (such as Crisco®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; fry onions until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef, paprika, and 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Cook and stir until beef is browned, about 5 minutes more.

Step 3

Dissolve bouillon cube in hot water; stir into beef mixture. Add oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer over low heat until flavors combine, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in olives and raisins; remove from heat and let cool.

Step 4

Sift flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 pinch sugar together in a bowl. Cut in shortening with 2 knives or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until dough sticks together. Shape dough into 2 equal balls. Roll out crusts to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Place bottom crust in pie pan.

Step 5

Spoon filling into pie crust; use a slotted spoon to avoid transferring oil. Pour in beaten eggs; cover with top crust. Pinch edges together; cut 4 slits in the top for vents.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C); bake until golden, 35 to 40 minutes more.