The Empanada Club

So, I have become just a little bit famous in my corner of the world for making beef empanadas.  My friends love them.  Whether they are co-workers or regular everyday friends.  They love my empanadas.  Empanadas are dough discs filled with just about anything you want to put in them.  Beef, chicken or pork.  Heck, it doesn't have to be meat at all.  You can turn an empanada into a pastry by simply substituting your savory meats with guava and cream cheese.  Yum!!!   When ready,  place your filling in the middle, fold it, seal it and wala!!!   They can be deep fried, baked or utilize an air fryer.  You have something so delicious, yet so simple!!!  But don't tell anyone!!!  It's our little secret!!!

On Tuesday, I happen to mention to my small circle of dear girl friends that I was making empanadas the next day and that bit of information turned into an impromptu get together.  They came over, we joked and laughed.  There was wine and we let our hair down.  I love this particular group of women.  The youngest in her late 30's the oldest in her sixties, yet we all find common ground when we get together.  I don't know what it is and it really doesn't matter.  The only thing that does matter is that we enjoy and uplift each other.  There is respect and safety among us.  Respect for who we are and the validation of our feelings; no matter how mundane we might perceive our feelings to be.  Safety in knowing that what is discussed and shared will remain confidential; and more importantly not minimized or belittled.  That is so important in cultivating trust.

I made hummus, which was a big hit.  Spicy of course!!!  And a dilemma arose when the garbanzo beans had a tough outer shell which needed to be peeled.  The atmosphere was as if we were back to a time when women would divide the work and make great things happen, like sow a quilt or weave a rug.  Those were times when women gathered happily and bonded.  I told Nell that the outer shell was a called a cousin.  She thought that was actually a thing.  We busted out laughing when the gig was up and Sherry, mischievous Sherry, started calling the garbanzo shells primos (Spanish for cousin)!!!  You just had to be there!!! 

Later, much later, Erica showed up and simply fell in love with Nico.  Oh, wait, I didn't tell you about Nico.  Well, earlier in the day, I was on my way to a doctors' appointment and was stopped at a red light and this itty bitty white fluff of a dog was dodging under the cars in front of me.  Fortunately, I had not had time to eat my breakfast that morning so I took it with me.  Well, Nico ended up eating my breakfast.  That was what I used to entice him to come to me and eventually into the car.  I am now the proud owner of an unknown breed of an itty bitty white fluff of a dog named Nico!!  Now, back to Erica, she fell in love with my doggie.   She calls him, her doggie.  It's so cute really.  I have a feeling Nico has three instant aunties on duty.

Some how while stuffing ourselves with empanadas and the chatter and the laughter and the dog running around; we decided to call ourselves The Empanada Club.  I was inspired to put to ink our adventures and to officially inform the world that there is such a thing as a sisterhood, women who share no other bond but the appreciation of joyful moments spent in each other's company and that, ladies and gentlemen, is more than enough for us.  Well done empanaditas.  Well done.