First make the dough

As always, I take the easy way out and knead my dough in the food processor. If you prefer to give your hands a real work out go ahead and do this by hand. So put all the ingredients for the dough, except the water and pulse a couple of times. Now add the water and process until you have a dough that is elastic but not sticky.

Turn the dough out onto your counter and knead a couple more times and shape it into a ball. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and turn it so it is coated with the oil. Cover it and let it rise for about an hour.

In the meanwhile, prepare the filling:

The filling needs to be cool before it can be used to stuff the Empanada.

Heat the oil and add the cumin seeds. Now add the onions and sautxe9 them over medium heat till they caramelise (turn golden). You can add any other spice powders at this point if you like. Add the potatoes, peas, paneer, kasuri methi, salt and pepper/ chilli flakes and mix well. Turn off the heat and let this filling cool.

Now back to the dough:

Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured working surface and deflate it by lightly kneading it.

Divide the dough into two equal portions. Lightly four your work surface and roll one portion out into a circle or rectangle, whichever you prefer. Roll it out it out thin and of uniform thickness. I rolled mine out into a circle about 13u201d to 14u201d in diameter. Place this dough circle onto a piece of parchment paper on your baking sheet.

Now put the filling (make sure it is at room temperature) on this leaving about 1" free at the edges. Pinch off a small piece of dough from the other portion for decorating the Empanada and keep aside. Roll out the other portion into another circle of the same thickness but this one should be 1u201d smaller at the edges than the base. Centre and place this dough circle over the filling.

Fold up the edges over the top dough circle and seal the edges by pressing or crimping decoratively. Use the left over dough to decorate the top of your Empanada. To make the flowers and leaves, roll out the dough thin and cut out shapes with cutters. The stems can be made by rolling dough into thin ropes. Stick on these by wetting the surface with water and then pressing them down well.

Bake the Empanada at 180C (350F) for about 35 to 45 minutes till golden brown and done. Cool on a rack for a while and then slice. You can serve this slightly warm or cold.