ilocos empanada ???? - Video

I hope everyone gets to try the real Ilocos empanada. It’s meant to be SAVORY, not sweet, not cheesy. Cabbage, sweet longganisa and cheese? That doesn’t really reflect its true flavor. But hey! If that’s all you have, I hope you get to taste the real deal someday! ????

I got tired of the manual labor so use whatever electric gadget you have to make life easier. From forming and shaping the empanadas to transferring them to the frying pan is a whole other level of skill!

Alright soldier, have fun making Ilocos empanadas! ????

— empanada filling (DRY is best!):
mung bean (steamed for 1.5 hrs)
GREEN papaya (+salt, water squeezed out)
magic sarap***
salt/pepper
+ egg
+ NOT SWEET longganisa ???? (optional)
+ bagnet ???? (optional)
***onion powder + garlic powder + salt + pepper + chicken bullion / msg)

— equipment:
steamer
chopper/blender/grater
cheesecloth
nonstick pan (for cooking dough)
gallon size ziplock bag
rolling pin
plate

— dough — COOKED‼️:
2 cups boiling HOT chicken broth/water ????
2 cups (16oz/1lb) “RICE FLOUR” (NOT glutinous)
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 tbsp salt
2 packets anatto powder (dissolved w/ water before boiling)
+ extra water (if needed)
+ oil to coat dough (prevent drying)
~ roll to 2mm

dough TIP:
Play-Doh consistency = PERFECTION ✨
— Always finish with slightly firm or dry dough. It’s easier to adjust hydration than to fix excess moisture later.
CRACKING / TOO FIRM: Add water little by little. Don’t overdo it!
SLIGHTLY STICKY: Lightly dust with a SMALL amount of rice flour — totally manageable.
OVERLY STICKY / PASTY: Heat your nonstick pan, return the dough, and mix in rice flour directly in the pan. This isn’t just reheating — the ADDED flour needs to cook properly ????

Forming/Cooking TIP:
- Seal the empanada TOWARD you to prevent it from tearing or stretching.
- Make one empanada WITHOUT THE EGG first to test the filling and avoid excess liquid.

Freezing/Thawing:
- Microwave for 1-2 minutes
- Airfry for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through (my favorite way — it removes excess oil ????)

Since I left Hawaii a year ago, I had to say goodbye to my empanada plug ???? which meant learning to make my own. I’ve been meal prepping, experimenting and testing my sanity ????‍???? This time, it felt effortless and I genuinely enjoyed making them! ????

#ilocosempanada #filipinoempanada #empanada #empanadadough #ilocos