For Filling, You'll Need: pinch cinnamon, pinch cumin, pinch freshly grated nutmeg, pinch kosher salt, pinch freshly grated black pepper, 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 LB ground chicken (or ground turkey) completely thawed in refrigerator, 2 stalks of celery (finely diced), 1 small shallot or 2 Tbsp white onion (finely diced), 1/4 cup unsalted cashews (chopped), 1/4 cup golden raisins (chopped), 1/4 cup dried apricots (chopped)
For Sauce, You'll Need: 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock, pinch kosher salt, pinch black pepper, 2 sprigs fresh thyme (pull thyme leaves off sprigs and discard stems)
How to Prepare the Crust: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Sprinkle flour on work surface. Place large pie dough round over the flour. Turn it over, so both sides are lightly floured. Gently repair any broken sections with your fingers if you have cracks. Using a 3" or 3.5" biscuit round, cut out little circles in your dough and set the circles to the side (do not stack them). Re-roll the extra pieces of pie dough and cut out more circles until you use up all the dough.
How to Prepare the Sauce: In a small sauce pan, over medium heat, add the butter. Whisk in the flour, until little bubbles start to form (3-4 minutes). Pour in the stock and thyme and whisk for 5-7 minutes. Taste. If desired, add salt and pepper. Transfer to a heat safe, small glass bowl. Place on table or in middle of empanada platter.
* If your dough is frozen, thaw it overnight in refrigerator. Leave it in the refrigerator until 10-15 minutes before you are going to use it. I recommend using 1 pie crust at a time, so it doesn't get too warm. Leave one crust in the refrigerator while you work with the other one. Remove it 10-15 minutes before you need it as well.
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