Empanadas Fritas de Queso (Fried Cheese Empanadas)

Empanadas fritas de queso are a Chilean classic: a soft dough worked while warm, filled with cheese and fried until golden and crisp.

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 6 tablespoons hot oil
• 1/2 cup salted boiling water
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• Pieces of cheese or cream cheese

Preparation

1. Place the flour in a bowl. Make a well in the flour and pour in the salted water and the oil.
2. Mix everything together very well until you have a soft dough.
3. This dough is worked while warm. Roll it out, cut circles and fill them with pieces of cheese.
4. Seal them well with egg white.
5. Fry in deep, hot oil.
6. Once fried, you can dust them with powdered sugar if you like.

Note: they can also be filled with seasoned beef (pino) or seafood as a variation.