Appetizers - Beef - Baked Beef Empanadas

1 cup finely chopped red potato
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup beef broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 pound boneless beef top sirloin, trimmed and diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
36 won ton wrappers
cooking spray
fresh cilantro sprigs, optional


Combine the first 10 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer 8 minutes or until potato is done, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Cool.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place 2 baking sheets in oven for about 10 minutes.

Drain meat mixture in a colander over a bowl. Discard liquid. Finely chop meat mixture with a knife, or place in a food processor, and pulse 2 times or until finely chopped. Combine cornstarch and water, stirring with a whisk.

Working with one won ton wrapper at a time (cover the remaining won ton wrappers with a damp towel to keep them from drying), spoon 1 tablespoon beef mixture into center of each wrapper. Moisten the edges of each wrapper with the cornstarch mixture. Bring 2 opposite corners together. Pinch the points to seal, forming a triangle. Place filled wrapper on a wire rack. Repeat the procedure with the remaining beef mixture, won ton wrappers and cornstarch mixture.

Remove the baking sheets from the oven; coat baking sheets with cooking spray. Arrange the empanadas in a single layer on baking sheets. Coat the empanadas with cooking spray. Bake at 400 for 8 minutes or until golden, turning once. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, if desired.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 3 empanadas). 113 cal, 1.1g fat, 7.4g pro, 17.8g carb, 14mg chol, 202mg sod.

Source: Cooking Light-9/01