Easy Entertaining: Host Spanish Night with Beef Empanadas from Cafe Tu Tu Tango in Orlando
If you’re looking for an easy recipe for homemade empanadas, this is it! Chances are you may have most, if not all, the ingredients already in your pantry. Plus, the recipe can be adapted to use a variety of meats or veggies for a delicious Spanish inspired feast at home.
Entertaining ourselves and our families while we follow the Stay at Home order can be a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be. A themed dinner can do the trick!
Why not celebrate National Empanada Day on April 8th with beef empanadas, an assortment of nibbles like cured meats, cheeses and olives and a tasty sangria. Hit up YouTube or Netflix for a Spanish movie with subtitles (any from Pedro Almodovar), Flamenco or Spanish guitar show (my favorite: Gipsy Kings). And say Ole!
Jump to RecipeCafe Tu Tu Tango – Fond Memories of The OG Tapas Restaurant in Florida
Cafe Tu Tu Tango is the OG of tapas restaurants in the US, established in 1991 in Coconut Grove. The format is mainstream today but quite new to the area back then. Reminiscent of an artist’s loft in Barcelona, you became immersed in the bohemian artist’s life and the frenetic energy of cafes and bars in Spain. While noshing on croquetas and cured meats and cheeses, you watched a painter intently focused on his canvas. Dancers and musicians would pop up with impromptu performances weaving around your table as you sipped sangrias.
I have so many fond memories of dinners shared with friends during my early 90’s college days in Miami. Cafe Tu Tu Tango was THE place we went for first dates, birthdays and celebrations. We felt so worldly and well traveled, noshing on a table full of little plates – from exotic to familiar. Having “deep” conversations which easily jumped from how we would change the world to the latest drama on campus. Those were the “good ole days.”
When I moved to Orlando in 1997, Cafe Tu Tu Tango‘s third location, aptly found on International Drive, was like a trusted friend. Welcoming and ready to celebrate at any time. Over the years the restaurant has changed ownership. Now actually owned again by some of the original principals from Coconut Grove. What has not changed in 29 years is it’s vibe. And so, it remains that friend you go back to time and time again. The one ready to party when you just want to have a no-fuss, really good time.
During these troubling times, I was thrilled when they shared their deliciously easy beef empanadas recipe for me to make at home and share with you. We could all use a bit of comfort food and reminiscing about the good times right now. Because we will have them again. (As long as we stay home!)
Beef Empanada Ingredients
Empanadas, or hand pies, can be filled with almost anything. From a variety of meats to veggies to cheese. They can even be sweet but we’re focusing on the savory ones here.
I followed this recipe word for word, which is rare for me as I usually get creative as I go along. These seasoning is perfect. Well balance sweetness from the raisins, earthy from the spices to a touch of spiciness from the jalapenos.
If you don’t have all the ingredients, improvise and substitute.
- This recipe would work with ground turkey, pork or chicken as well. You could possibly try it with veggies such as eggplant, zucchini, potatoes and carrots as well for vegetarian version.
- The use of jalapenos is perfectly in balance offering a hint of spice to balance sweetness. If you prefer you can reduce the amount or use a milder pickled jalapeno.
- I used Muenster cheese instead of Manchego or Cheddar. Try it with any cheese with a good melting point.
Beef Empanada Preparation Tips
I’ve never made empanadas at home before. Thank you Cafe Tu Tu Tango for helping me cross this off my “someday list!”
Here’s a few things I learned from following this recipe which may be helpful for you.
When preparing your ground beef filling, you want all the flavors to simmer and meld together. The recipe calls for 15 minutes simmering, don’t rush this. Here’s a tip: reserve some of the liquid after draining the ground beef. If the mixture becomes too dry as it did for me, stir some in during the simmering process. But watch the amount of liquid as you don’t want your filling mixture to be too wet either.
I used store bought pie crusts. The kind you unroll which come 2 per box, not the ones in the pie tin. Use a bowl or similar round object to cut your 6″ shells. When filling your pastry rounds, don’t overfill. And make sure you properly crimp the edges to seal.
I baked the empanadas at 350F for 15 minutes as instructed in this recipe but found the pastry not cooked enough. I followed package instructions for the pie crust and baked for additional 10 minutes at 450F. They came out nice and flaky! Next time I will bake as per the package at 450 for 15 minutes but keep an eye out to ensure they are golden brown.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango Beef Empanada Recipe
Full of flavor, these beef empanadas from Cafe Tu Tu Tango in Orlando are just what you need as an appetizer, snack, lunch or dinner. Host a Spanish themed night at home with this easy recipe made with pantry staples.
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- ¼ cup Water
- 1 Tablespoon Jalapenos (minced) – About 1/2 jalapeno
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic (minced) – About 3 cloves
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin (ground)
- 2 Teaspoons Chili Powder
- 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1/8 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 8 oz. can Crushed Tomatoes
- ¼ Cup Raisins
- ¼ Cup Spanish Olives (chopped)
- 2 Eggs (hardboiled and chopped)
- ¼ Cup Monterey Jack Cheese (shredded)
- ¼ Cup Manchego or Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
- In a large skillet, combine the beef and water and cook over medium/high heat while breaking up the beef.
- Once beef is cooked, drain off all the liquid and add the garlic, jalapenos, and spices to the pan with the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Add the raisins and cook at a low simmer for 15-20 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Remove from heat and add the olives and eggs, and combine.
- Transfer to a plate or baking pan and cool in refrigerator.
- Once mixture is cool, add the cheeses and mix.
- Use frozen empanada shells or pre-made pie crust cut into 6” rounds.
- Fill each with 2 heaping tablespoons of filling. Fold the empanada over to create a half-moon shape, and crimp edges of empanada shell with a fork.
- Fry or bake according to directions on empanada shells. For pie crust, bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until browned.
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
After preparing this recipe, here are my additional notes and observations:
- This recipe would work with ground turkey, pork or chicken as well. You could possibly try it with veggies such as eggplant, zucchini, potatoes and carrots as well for vegetarian version.
- Reserve some of the liquid when you drain the ground beef. If the mixture becomes too dry, stir some in during the simmering process.
- The use of jalapenos is perfectly in balance offering a hint of spice to balance sweetness. If you prefer you can reduce the amount or use a milder pickled jalapeno.
- Muenster cheese is another alternative to Manchego or Cheddar.
- I baked the empanadas at 350F for 15 minutes as instructed but found the pastry not cooked enough. I followed package instructions for the pie crust and baked for additional 10 minutes at 450F.
Beef Empanada Serving Notes
If you like things saucy, I served these Beef Empanadas with a store bought mild Tomatillo Salsa Verde. You can also try a cilantro mayo dip. Get creative.
Gift Card Promotion To Help Restaurant Workers
Cafe Tu Tu Tango made the difficult decision to temporarily close due to covid-19 pandemic. However, Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP), of which Café Tu Tu Tango is a part, is currently running a gift card promotion to assist its employees and their families during this difficult time. For every gift card purchase of $25 or more, ARP will set aside 50% of the proceeds for their Employee Relief Fund. To date, the fund has reached more than $40,000.
As an additional “thank you,” customers will receive a 20% bonus card that may be used at either Café Tu Tu Tango OR Mia’s Italian Kitchen, located right next door to Café Tu Tu Tango on International Drive.
Consider purchasing gift cards at AlexandriaRestaurantPartners.com and make plans to celebrate when we can safely gather with friends once again.
Spanish Tapas Night at Home
Until we can all get together and share tapas around the table at Cafe Tu Tu Tango, prepare this beef empanada recipe and celebrate good times, safely at home.
For an Easy Spanish Night at Home Menu, serve cured meats and hams, Spanish cheeses, and olives (try my citrus & fennel marinated olives). If you want to go all out, try an easy paella. Don’t forget the sangria or wine!
I hope you’re inspired to keep celebrating at home and to keep dreaming of travel. To #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time. We will get back to that soon. Right now, stay home, stay safe and enjoy the little things. Like these fantastic beef empanadas from Cafe Tu Tu Tango.
Share photos of your Spanish Night with me on social media by tagging @GoEpicurista – We can all celebrate together, but apart!
Cheers!
Go Epicurista
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