Baked Empanadas

Ingredients:

• 250g plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 125g lard, butter or margarine
• 6 tablespoons water
• 275g peeled, cored and sliced apples
• 200g sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 225g tomato puree
• 125ml water
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 450g lean steak, cut into 2.5cm cubes

Preparation:

1. To make the pastry: In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. 
2. Rub in the fat till pieces are the size of small peas. 
3. Add a small amount of water to slightly moisten. 
4. Form dough into a ball. Roll out the dough to about 3mm thick and cut into 10cm circles. 
5. Lightly flour both sides of circles.
6. To make fruit filling: In a saucepan combine fruit, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 
7. Heat over medium heat until hot, thoroughly mixing.
8. To make meat filling: In a medium frying pan, saute the onion and green pepper in olive oil. 
9. Add tomato puree, water, and vinegar, and cook for 20 minutes. 
10. Add meat and coat thoroughly with the sauce.
11. Place a large spoonful of one of the above mixtures to the center of a dough circle. 
12. Place another circle on top. Fasten the two circles together by pressing the edges with a fork. 
13. These may then be baked in a preheated 180 C / Gas 4 until golden brown.