Spicy Beef Empanadas

1 lb. lean ground beef1 small onion, finely chopped.3 large cloves garlic, minced1/2 t. crushed red pepper pods1 t. olive oil1/4 c. tomato sauce3 T. chopped raisins2 T. toasted chopped almonds3/4 t. ground cumin1 pkg. (15oz) refrigerated pie crust

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef in large frying pan, just until no longer pink, breaking up large pieces; pour off drippings. Remove beef from frying pan and reserve. Cook and stir onion, garlic and red pepper in oil in same frying pan over medium heat 2 or 3 minutes. Remove frying pan from heat; stir in reserves ground beef, tomato sauce, raisins, almonds and cumin. Roll out pastry, on sheet at a time, on a lightly floured surface to about 1/16 inch thickness. Cut into 3 inch circles. Place about 1 rounded teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle. Fold in half; press edges together with tines of fork. Repeat procedure with remaining pastry and meat mixture. Place empanadas about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes or until golden brown. 50-60 appetizers

By Robin