Beef Empanadas

Directions

1. 1
   1. In a skillet, fry the onion and garlic in olive oil until golden.
2. 2
   2. Add the beef and cook until no longer pink.
3. 3
   3. Add the spices and fry a minute more until fragrant.
4. 4
   4. Add the tomatoes plus any juice it collected, and olives.
5. 5
   5. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the meat mixture is thick but moist.
6. 6
   6. Allow the meat mixture to cool. This can all be done ahead of time.
7. 7
   7. Roll out the empanada dough and use a large biscuit cutter to cut out rounds.
8. 8
   8. Put together each empanada as follows: Moisten the edges of the round with a little water, put about a tablespoon of meat filling into the middle, put a little grated cheddar on the meat, fold the round over, and crimp the edges with a fork.
9. 9
   9. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 deg F for about 20 minutes or until golden.
10. 10
    Serve with hot sauce, salsa, and sour cream.