Masa Cakes And Eggs Food

MASA PANCAKES

Steps:

• If using masa harina, combine in a medium bowl with ½ cup hot water and, using a rubber bowl scraper, stir and mash together until no dry spots remain. Cover with a plate or plastic wrap and let cool, about 30 minutes.
• If using fresh masa, crumble into a medium bowl.
• Melt 5 Tbsp. butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour in buttermilk and remove from heat. Set aside.
• Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl to combine.
• Add eggs and sugar to masa and whisk until only a few lumps remain. Add half of buttermilk mixture and whisk until homogeneous. Add remaining buttermilk and whisk again to combine. Add to bowl with dry ingredients and mix until no dry streaks remain.
• Heat a large griddle or 2 cast-iron or nonstick skillets over medium; brush with butter. Working in batches, scoop ¼-cupfuls of batter onto griddle and cook until bubbles form on the surface and undersides are golden brown, about 3 minutes. If undersides are browning too quickly, reduce heat to low. Flip pancakes and cook until golden brown on the other sides, about 2 minutes. Transfer pancakes to individual plates or a platter. Serve with butter and maple syrup. Do ahead: Masa harina dough can be made 3 day ahead. Once cool enough to handle, wrap tightly in plastic and chill.

MASA CAKES AND EGGS

Steps:

• Warm milk with butter over low heat, just until butter melts. Do not bring to a boil. Combine masa harina, sugar, salt, and cheese in a bowl. Stir in milk mixture to make a soft dough. Shape the dough into 4 portions (about 1/4 c each), and flatten slightly to make a disc shape.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat, and fry the masa cakes until crisp and golden (about 3 1/2 minutes per side). Remove and drain. Keep warm while you make the eggs.
• I highly recommend a microwave egg poacher, as it makes the eggs the perfect size and shape. But if you don't have one of those, you can poach the eggs as follows:.
• Bring a deep pan of water to a simmer (don't boil, as it will cause the eggs to disintegrate). Add 1 T white vinegar to help the eggs hold their shape.
• Break the egg into a small cup or bowl. Stir the simmering water to create a gentle whirlpool, then quickly slide the egg into the water (this helps the egg keep its shape. Poach the eggs for 3 1/2 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks are runny. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• To serve, place a masa cake on plate and top with egg. Add salsa to taste (we like La Victoria's Cilantro Salsa the best for this dish). Then sprinkle with extra feta and chopped avocado.
• Enjoy!

MASA CORN CAKES WITH POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• See how to poach eggs
• Make the salsa: Combine the tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Make the corn cakes: Warm the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat just until the butter melts. Combine the masa harina, 1 teaspoon salt, the sugar and queso fresco in a large bowl. Stir in the milk mixture to make a soft dough. Scoop the dough into 8 portions (about 1/4 cup each) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with another sheet of parchment; press a pan on top to flatten into disks.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, fry the corn cakes until crisp and golden on the bottom, about 3 1/2 minutes; flip, press lightly with a spatula and cook until golden on the other side. Continue with the remaining cakes, adding more oil as needed. Season the cakes with salt; place on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while you poach the eggs.
• Bring a deep pan of water to a simmer over medium-low heat; add the vinegar. Poach the eggs.
• Divide the corn cakes among 4 plates; top each cake with a poached egg, salsa and cheese; serve with avocado.

FRIED MASA CAKES WITH CHEESE (AREPAS DE QUESO)

Steps:

• Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and stir in butter.
• Combine arepa flour, salt, sugar, and mozzarella in a large bowl.
• Add hot milk and stir until combined. Let mixture stand until milk is absorbed enough for a soft dough to form, 1 to 2 minutes (dough will continue to stiffen).
• Form dough into 12 balls (about 2 inches in diameter) and flatten between palms into 3 1/2- to 4-inch patties (about 1/3 inch thick).
• Heat ‚ tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over moderately low heat until hot, then cook 3 or 4 arepas until cooked through and golden in patches, 6 to 8 minutes on each side. Make more arepas in same manner, adding oil as needed.

GORDITOS DE HUEVOS (MASA CAKES STUFFED WITH EGGS)

Steps:

• Stir together masa harina, salt, and 1 1/4 cups water until dough forms. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then divide into six 2" balls. Flatten each ball into a 1/4" thick disc, and set aside.
• Heat chiles in a skillet, and cook until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium.
• Quickly place chiles in blender, with garlic and 1/2 cup water and puree.
• Return to skillet, add eggs and cook, stirring often. Set aside.
• Heat 12" cast iron skillet, and cook masa discs, flipping once, until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.
• Immediately remove to a cutting board, and cut horizontally halfway through each disc. Stuff with egg mixture, and serve immediately.

DAVID CHANG'S PANKO-BREADED PORK CHOPS W/ MASA CAKES AND REDEYE

Steps:

• With a fork or whisk, mix together 3 of the eggs and the flour to form a smooth batter.
• Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper. Put at least 2 inches of oil in a large, deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot-a pinch of flour will sizzle-begin to prepare the pork: dip a piece in the egg batter, then in the breadcrumbs-the more of this coating that adheres, the better. Put the piece of pork in the pan and repeat until done; depending on how many chops you're cooking or how large your skillet is, you may have to cook in batches, since crowding the pan will lower the oil's temperature and make for soggy chops. (Drain cooked pieces on a paper towel, then transfer them to a low oven until you're finished cooking.) Adjust the heat so the meat cooks rapidly but the coating does not burn. Turn each chop as the first side becomes deep golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Cook about the same amount of time on the second side.
• When the pork is almost done, bring about an inch of water to a boil in a deep, large skillet, add one teaspoon of salt and the vinegar, and lower the heat to the point where it barely bubbles. One at a time, break the 6 remaining eggs into a shallow bowl and slip them into the water. At this point, cover the skillet or begin to spoon the water over the tops of the eggs. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, until the whites are barely set and the yolks have begun to film over. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• To make the gravy, combine 2 of the barely poached eggs, instant coffee grounds, sherry vinegar, and soy sauce in a small nonreactive bowl. Use an immersion blender to beat the ingredients until smooth, no more than 2 minutes. (You may also use a regular blender.).
• By hand, mix together the masa flour, water, lard, salt, and sugar in a medium-sized bowl just until the mixture is smooth. Form the dough into golf ball-sized spheres, then press each one into a ¼-inch thick disc. Grease your griddle or pan with a teaspoon of oil and, when the oil shimmers, add the masa cakes. Cook, working in batches, until they are light golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
• Slice the pork and divide it among 4 plates. Divide the masa cakes and poached eggs among the plates, garnish with scallions, and serve with redeye gravy.