Puerto rican fried meat pies

Ingredients :

Dough :

3 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2tsp baking soda
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 c. warm water

Filling :

1 lb. browned ground beef or cooked shredded chicken
1/2 medium onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/8 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/8 c. sliced green olives
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1 pkg. Goya Sazon with annato

Method :

For cooking :

1 c. vegetable oil for frying.

Dough : combine all the dry ingredients in electric mixer, add all the wet ingredients. Mix for about 3 minutes until well combined. Dough will form.

Take it out and knead for about 3 minutes, let sit wrapped in plastic-wrap for another 15 minutes.

Divide into 12 pieces, then roll into 4 inch circles.

Filling :
Brown ground beef (drain excess grease), or sautee shredded chicken in 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil. Add all the ingredients and cook for an additional 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Let cool.

Cooking :
Pre-heat the oil in a frying pan at about a medium temperature. Place about 2 tbsp. of the filling in the dough and seal the edges with a fork.

Fry for about 5 minutes on each side, then place on dish lined with paper-towels.

Serve. Makes 12 Empanadas.