Valentine's Day Date Night: Handmade Empanadas

Empanadas are pastries traditionally filled with seafood, meat, cheese, vegetables or fruit. They're thought to have originated in Spain, where the Empanada Festival is part of Galician culture.

Join Chef Jen in her Chicago kitchen as she teaches you how to make the flakiest homemade empanadas from scratch! You will learn to make two fillings, either vegetarian or beef picadillo. Chef Jen will demonstrate how to fill your empanada disks and fold the edges into a braided seal called "repulgue".

No empanada experience is complete without a dipping sauce. So you will also learn Chef Jen's recipe for the perfect Chimichurri sauce!

Not only is this class going to teach you how to make a traditional Latin and South American dish, but you will be able to do so with a healthier and equally appetizing twist, by baking instead of frying your empanadas. Please note, you will need to make your dough before class begins so that it has at least one hour to rest.

Invite your friends and family to join you for class, so you can connect virtually and enjoy a fun experience cooking together. No experience is required! You'll have the opportunity to interact with Chef Jen throughout the class.

You will receive an email with the equipment and ingredients list. However, the main ingredients required include: flour, egg, sugar, butter, salt, pepper, ground beef, potatoes, bell pepper, tomato, frozen peas, carrot, onion, kalamata olives, dried cranberries, olive oil, tomato paste, honey, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, red chilies, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, thyme, coriander, parsley, spinach, broccoli, corn, garlic cloves, Feta cheese, and Parmesan cheese.

Prepare your mis-en-place ahead of the session (see instructions in the ingredients/equipment sheet), grab a glass of your favorite drink, and let’s get cooking!