Vegan

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 large banana, diced
• 3/4 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 can organic black beans, rinse and drained (we love the Eden Organics brand, their cans are BPA-free and they do not add salt)
• handful cilantro, chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (or 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder for a little kick)
• Sea salt & fresh pepper, to taste
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil
• Dough (see below for recipe)

Directions:

In a large saute pan, add coconut oil and onions, saute for about 2-3 minutes.  Add bananas, saute until they begin to caramelize.  Toss in black beans, cumin, paprika and season with salt and pepper.  Cook until beans are heated through, about 5-7 minutes.  Remove from heat and toss in fresh cilantro.

Transfer to a large bowl, using the back of a fork or a potato masher, mash the bean-banana mixture until slightly smooth, leaving some texture.

Roll out dough, use a drinking cup to cut out circles.  Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the bean-banana mixture into each circle.  Fold the circle in half and press the edges lightly.  Using the back of a fork, press down to seal the edges.

Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Lightly spray with olive oil (we love using the Prepara Mister for this job but if you don’t have one you can use a basting brush), sprinkle with salt, garlic powder and paprika.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve alongside fresh salsa, guacamole or make a simple “Lime Aioli” with plain greek yogurt, fresh lime juice/zest, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and sea salt.

To make the dough:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (we love the gluten free AP flour from Bob’s Red Mill)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubs (we love the pasture butter from Organic Valley)
• 1 large organic egg
• 1/3 cup ice water
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.  Blend in butter with your fingertips until mixture resembles a course meal.

In a small bowl, whisk together egg, water and vinegar.  Add to flour mixture and mix together with a fork until just incorporated.

Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead together until smooth.  Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator  for at least one hour.