How to make Ilocos Empanada

Photo Source: @lykaAnac

Are you planning for your next adventure? Are you the type of person who isn't scared to taste food from different places?

Well, we have a place for you!

Ilocos is known for its many picturesque places.

This place is not just about the beauty of its infrastructure. It is also where you can find many food delicacies like the bagnet and the Vigan longganisa, and the most recommended food to try is the Ilocos Empanada.

The Ilocos Empanada is identical to the traditional Spanish empanada. People in Ilocos continue to use homemade rice paper wrappers colored with orange coloring or atsuete. It has monggo, fried egg, cabbage, and Vigan longganisa or minor cuts of bagnet on the inside.

This delicacy is very easy to make; here's how you can make it:

Recipe for the Dough:

• Chicken broth

• 1 cup of Rice flour (Must be glutinous)

• 1 cup of water

• Salt

• Pepper

• Oil

• 1 tsp of atsuete (For Coloring)

• 1 Whole Egg

• Finely Grated Cabbage

• 1 cup of Monggo beans Longganisa (OPTIONAL)

The process:

1. First, you will sift your glutinous rice flour, put it in a large bowl, and then set it aside.

2. Put the chicken broth in a large frying pan and turn the heat to medium fire; add the water and put the rice flour into it.

Reduce the heat and continue to stir until everything comes together.

3. On the table, you will need to prepare a baking sheet. Put some rice flour on your baking sheet, and then pour your dough.

It would help if you let it cool first before kneading it with your hands or a rolling pin.

4. When it's cooled down, start kneading it until the rice flour you put is absorbed by the dough. Set aside your dough and prepare your ingredients for the stuffings.

5. Put your grated cabbage in a large bowl, add your cooked mung beans, and season it with pepper.

6. Lay another sheet of the baking sheet and sprinkle it with flour. Grab your dough and roll until flat.

7. Put your Vegetables in, and you MUST leave a space for your egg.

8. Fold your empanada and cut the edges with a plate (The traditional way) or you can use a knife and pinch its edge to seal it.

9. Get a large pan and put oil on it. Set the temperature to high and let your empanada fry until it turns crispy and ready to eat.

10. Serve and enjoy it with the famous Ilocos Vinegar.

Every food that we make must come with another ingredient: "Love."

You must make sure that you like what you're doing because cooking takes time and practice.