Chicken Empanada

Chicken Filling
2 cups chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1 cup frozen green peas
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large potato, coarsely grated
salt and pepper to taste
1 medium-sìzed onion, finely chopped

Method:
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion in oil for I minute. Add shredded chicken meat, potato, green peas, a little salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until vegetables are cooked. Remove from skillet. Let cool.

Filipino Chicken Empanada

Pastry Recipe:
3 cups flour
3 egg yolks
2-1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup ice water
3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup vegetable shortening

Method:
Combine flour, salt and sugar in a bowl. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Combine egg yolks and ice water and blend into flour mixture until it turns into dough. Add a little more water if dough is still crumbly.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes. With a rolling pin, roll dough thinly, about 1/4 inch thick, on a lightly floured board. Roll up dough to a long thin roll. Cut into slices about 1-inch thick. Flatten each slice thinly into a circle about the size of a small saucer.

Fill middle of round dough with chicken filling. Fold to a half circle and press edges firmly with tines of a fork to seal. Repeat procedure with remaining pastry and filling. Deep fry in vegetable oil until golden brown.