BEEF EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Cut each egg crosswise into 10 thin slices.
• Cook the onion in the olive oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until softened. Add the garlic, cumin, and oregano and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in the beef and cook, breaking up lumps with a fork, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.
• Add the raisins, olives, salt, pepper, and tomatoes with reserved juice, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced but the mixture is still moist, about 5 minutes. Spread on a plate to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 200°F, with the rack in the middle.
• Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on a dampened work surface (to help keep plastic in place), then roll out an empanada disk on the wrap to measure about 6 inches. Place 3 tablespoons of meat mixture on the disk and top with 2 slices of egg. Moisten the edges of the disk with water and fold over to form a semicircle, then crimp with a fork. Make 9 more empanadas in the same manner.
• Heat 3/4 inch of vegetable oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over medium heat until it registers 360°F on a deep-fry thermometer. Fry the empanadas, 2 or 3 at a time, turning once, until crisp and golden, 4 to 6 minutes per batch.
• Transfer the empanadas to a shallow baking pan and keep warm in the oven. Return oil to 360°F between frying batches.
• The EMPANADAS can be brushed with oil and baked on an oiled baking sheet in a 425°F oven until golden, about 10 minutes. (They will not be as crisp as fried empanadas.)