Ninfa’s Banana Empanadas
Source San Antonio Express News. Ninfa’s is a popular chain of Mexican restaurants located in Texas.
EMPANADA DOUGH: (Makes enough for about 8-10 empanadas)
2 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. sugar
4 Tbsp. lard, shortening or butter, cut into small bits
3/4 C. warm water
1 tsp. salt
1 egg yolk, optional
FOR EACH EMPANADA:
2 1/2 ounce ball of dough (about the size of an egg)
1 small fresh banana, sliced
1Tbsp. dark seedless raisins
1 tablespoon chopped pecans
1 tsp. honey
1 egg white, for sealing edges
Oil, for frying
GARNISH:
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
5 slices fresh banana
1 tsp. chopped pecans
1 tsp. dark seedless raisins
4 1/2 ounces vanilla ice cream (1 scoop)
1 maraschino cherry
1/4 C. cajeta sauce (caramel sauce, available in grocery stores)
Divide dough into about 8 to 10 equal parts, roll into balls, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for about 20 to 30 minutes to make the dough easier to roll.
For each empanada, roll a ball of dough into a flat round, tortilla- shape, about 8 inches in diameter. (Use a tortilla press, if available.) Place on a hot pan and cook briefly on one side. On the center of the tortilla, with the cooked side to the inside, put bananas, raisins, pecans and honey. With a small pastry brush, brush egg white around the edges and fold it over to form a half-moon shape. Using a fork, press around the edges to seal.
Pour oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches into a wide frying pan and heat oil to 350 degrees. Fry empanadas for 2 minutes, turning as necessary, until golden brown. Remove from oil and let drain.
Sprinkle powdered sugar over top, then cinnamon. Garnish with banana slices, pecans, and raisins. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, top with the cherry and accompany with a pitcher of warm cajeta sauce.












CopyKat.com is the creation of Stephanie Manley. Stephanie started publishing recipes on the web in 1995 as a means to capture her family recipes in a format that they would not be thrown away. Over the years she has developed many recipes that taste just like the restaurant originals that you would normally go out to try. 