Inside an Empanada
A golden empanada may look like a little pocket, but its folded edge tells part of the story of how it was made. Inside its wrapper, a filling is tucked away until someone takes a bite.
An empanada begins with a piece of dough, often shaped into a circle. Filling is placed on one part of the dough, and the other part is folded over it. This creates a pocket, often shaped like a half-moon. The two layers of dough meet along the curved edge.
That edge needs to stay closed while the empanada cooks. Pressing the layers together helps seal the pocket and keeps the filling from spilling out. Some people pinch the edge with their fingers. Others crimp it, making a pattern by pressing or folding the dough along the edge. A fork can leave a row of small lines, while folded dough can look like a twisted rope. These marks can be decorative, but they also show where the dough has been joined.
Empanadas are enjoyed in many places, and their fillings and cooking methods vary. For example, some empanadas in Argentina contain seasoned beef, onions, and pieces of hard-boiled egg. Other empanadas may be filled with cheese, vegetables, or sweet ingredients. Some are baked in an oven, while others are fried in hot oil.
- dough:
- A mixture used to make foods such as bread or pastry.
- filling:
- Food placed inside another food.
- layers:
- Pieces or sheets lying on top of one another.
- decorative:
- Made to look attractive.
- seasoned:
- Flavored with ingredients such as spices.
- surface:
- The outside or top part of something.
- crust:
- The firm outer layer of a baked food.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the main idea of the article?
- 2How does folding the dough help create an empanada?
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About this explanatory article passage for 4th Grade
“Inside an Empanada” is a explanatory article reading passage about Empanadas, written for 4th Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (252 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.