Friday, June 12, 2009

Banana and Black Bean Empanadas and Go Mousavi!



The bananas undergo a transformation in this recipe and become the perfect partner to the heat of the jalapeno and the meat of the beans. I used fresh diced jalapeno instead of tabasco. The vegan recipe from the Vegetarian Times below is slightly dry (the crust), so I definitely recommend using a sauce like guacamole. I prepared a make-shift salsa with chopped tomatoes, onions and lime juice (this was not bad). Another reviewer suggested sour cream with lime zest and lime juice.


The non-vegan version here in epi is even easier to prepare.
Politics: All eyes on the election in Iran today. Let's hope Mousavi wins and the power transition is peaceful...


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Ingredient List
Serves 6 Crust
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder
4 Tbs. cold soy margarine, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbs. white wine vinegar

Filling
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 cup cooked black beans
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
2 bananas, peeled and diced (1 cup)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. ground coriander
2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp. red pepper sauce, such as Tabasco

Directions
1. To make Crust: Sift flours, salt, and chili powder in bowl. Mix in margarine with fingers until mixture resembles coarse meal. Whisk together applesauce, vinegar, and 1/3 cup cold water in separate bowl. Stir applesauce mixture into flour mixture until textured dough forms, adding up to 1/4 cup more water, if necessary. Knead on lightly floured surface until dough comes together. Form into ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill 1 hour, or overnight.
2. To make Filling, heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion 4 to 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add beans and garlic, reduce heat to medium, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in bananas, cumin, cayenne, and coriander, and cook 2 minutes, or until bananas begin to break down and spices are fragrant. Remove from heat, and stir in cilantro and red pepper sauce.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F. Divide dough into 12 balls. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Roll out each ball to 6-inch round (1/4-inch thick) on lightly floured work surface. Fill with 2 Tbs. Filling, and brush edges of pastry with water. Fold dough circle in half, press to close, and crimp edges with fork to seal. Transfer to prepared baking sheet, and repeat with remaining dough balls and Filling. Chill 10 minutes. Bake empanadas 20 minutes, or until golden brown and crusty. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet before serving.

Nutritional Information
Per : Calories: 364, Protein: 10g, Total fat: 10g, Saturated fat: 4g, Carbs: 60g, Cholesterol: mg, Sodium: 748mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugars: 8g

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