Lately, I’ve been craving tamales, tacos and empanadas. Sometimes getting to a restaurant seems out of the way. There’s always the option to make them myself, but I’m a busy gal – from work to running errands to taking care of the family. Fortunately, I discovered a new line of products at Fairway Market dubbed Latin Table. This new line debuts with three types of empanadas — Argentine-spiced beef, spicy chicken and spinach-Portobello mushroom — and three tamales — beef, chicken and black bean. Loaded with flavors, these pre-cooked items are made with the finest ingredients and are produced from traditional recipes. Just heat and eat.
I’m very picky when buying/making empanadas. I prefer them baked rather than fried for a variety of reasons. So FM’s fits the bill. After trying all three empanada flavors, my favorite is the spinach-Portobello mushroom. In each baked wheat shell is a perfectly seasoned filling of shredded spinach and Portobellos.
Fairway Market’s tamales are made with masa, a corn meal dough, then wrapped in a cornhusk and steamed. I thought the black bean tamales were the best of the three types.
There are four tamales and two empanadas in a pack, which sells for $4.99, and each comes with a slightly spicy chipotle dip and a delicious avocado-tomatillo sauce. They are available in the stores’ deli pack-out cases. To reheat, place the empanadas on a tray and bake in a 325 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. The tamales are best steamed, as baking them dries them out.
For more information go to www.fairwaymarket.com.
Photo credit: Fairway Market
