A Football Feast with Lamb

This easy Spanish classic is a winner no matter which team you're backing.

Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients
300g lamb mince
3 onions, diced
1 bunch spring onions, sliced
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1 tbsp. brown sugar
Juice of 1 orange
50g toasted almonds
80g sultanas
3 sheets shortcrust pastry
1 egg, beaten
Salt and pepper

Method
Preheat oven to 200ºC.
Heat the oil in a frypan and add the onions, spring onions, thyme, cumin and paprika; stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add the lamb mince, sugar, sultanas and orange juice; stir until lamb is browned. Season with salt and pepper; add almonds and leave to cool.

Cut circles from the pastry with a medium-sized circle cutter. Brush the borders with egg and place 2 tablespoons of filling in the centre of each circle discarding any liquid, which could make the pastry soggy.
Fold the pastry in half over the filling and press the borders with a fork or fingers to seal tightly.
Place the empanadas on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Brush with remaining egg to colour and then cook for 15-20 minutes.

Tips:
Try replacing the shortcrust pastry with puff pastry for a soft and light crust.
Add cooked potato cubes to the mince to increase the complexity of flavours.

Celebrate football fever with a flavour expedition inspired by competing nations around the globe.

It's almost time for football (or soccer) fans worldwide to come together and celebrate the game. Game timings fit in perfectly with dinnertime for Aussies, so We Love Our Lamb will be there every step of the way.

Kicking flavour goals with a journey around the globe, We Love Our Lamb has shared five recipes from five nations, including garlic and oregano lamb skewers with chimichurri from Argentina, butterflied lamb leg with ratatouille from France or bite size lamb and sultana empanadas from Spain.

These dishes are perfect for cooking up with friends and family to enjoy whilst cheering on your favourite team.

For additional recipe inspiration, visit www.australianlamb.com.au.