Masa Cakes From Veracruz Food

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.

BOCOLES RECIPE

Steps:

• Place the corn flour, salt, butter, and cheese in a bowl, and stir to mix well. Once these ingredients are completely mixed, add the chopped cilantro.
• Slowly add the warm water and knead to form a soft dough, it will feel a little sticky. The total kneading time will be about 4-5 minutes. Divide the dough into 8 small balls.
• Heat the griddle over a medium heat, and, using a paper napkin, dab the surface with a little oil. These little patties sometimes tend to stick to the griddle.
• To form the patties/bocoles, place each ball of dough between two pieces of plastic, place on your tortilla maker, and gently press down to form a circle of 2-½ inches in diameter and about 1/3-in thick.
• Bocoles, corn masa cakes recipe
• Place each formed patty on the hot griddle and cook for 2-½ minutes, then turn and cook for 3-½ to 4 minutes and then turn again to cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the griddle and cover with a kitchen napkin to keep them warm while you cook the rest of the dough.

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.

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!