Memelas With Queso Fresco And Charred Tomato Sauce Food

MEMELAS WITH QUESO FRESCO AND CHARRED TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Make tomato sauce:
• Preheat broiler.
• Broil tomatoes and chiles in a foil-lined small shallow baking pan 2 to 3 inches from heat, turning frequently, until lightly charred on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes for chiles, 12 to 15 minutes for tomatoes (flesh should be soft). Alternatively, char vegetables in a hot well-seasoned griddle or cast-iron skillet over moderate heat.
• Core tomatoes and stem chiles, then purée with onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste, in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot ingredients).
• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until just hot. Stir 1/2 cup tomato sauce into oil (this reduces spattering), then, when bubbling vigorously, add remaining sauce.
• Fry, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro and salt to taste.
• Prepare memelas:
• Stir together masa harina, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and water in a large bowl with a wooden spoon until it forms a dough. Knead in bowl with heel of hand 1 to 2 minutes.
• Divide dough into 16 pieces and roll each into a 1 1/2-inch ball.
• Roll balls into 3-inch-long logs. Transfer logs as formed to a plastic-wrap-lined tray and cover with more plastic wrap.
• Heat a well-seasoned large cast-iron griddle or skillet over moderately high heat until hot.
• Cut 2 (5-inch) squares from a small plastic bag and use 1 to line lower half of tortilla press. Put a log of dough in press and top with second square of plastic. Close press, pushing gently on lever to flatten dough to a 4- by 3- by 3 1/2-inch oval. If press doesn't flatten evenly, rotate tortilla 180 degrees and gently flatten again. (Alternatively, use a rolling pin to flatten dough between squares of plastic.)
• Remove plastic and cook oval on hot griddle until a skin forms and some small golden spots appear, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Make more ovals, cooking 3 or 4 at a time.
• Remove memelas from heat and, when cool enough to handle, form sides: Beginning 1/2 inch from edge of each memela and working all around it, push undercooked masa toward edge with your thumb and pinch up to form a 1/4-inch side. Then pinch up masa in center of memela in several places. If dough still seems very raw, cook memelas upside down on hot griddle 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons cheese on each memela and top with 1 to 2 tablespoons tomato sauce. Heat filled memelas, 4 at a time, on hot griddle until bubbling, about 3 minutes. Serve hot.

VINE-RIPE TOMATO SALAD WITH QUESO FRESCO, CILANTRO, AND SERRANO

Steps:

• Slice tomatoes about 1/4-inch thick and arrange on a plate with the sliced onions. Place the sliced chile alongside the tomatoes and sprinkle the cilantro on top and around the plate. Crumble the queso fresco on top.
• In a bowl combine the oregano, oil, and vinegar and mix well. Drizzle the vinaigrette on top just before serving. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

BAKED QUESO FRESCO WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil.
• Remove husks from tomatillos.
• Boil tomatillos for about two minutes or until soft.
• Remove tomatillos from water and place in a blender or food processor.
• Add garlic, cilantro, lime juice, avocado, jalapeño and salt.
• Purée until smooth.
• Place cheese in ovenproof serving dish.
• Pour sauce over cheese and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and serve with tortilla chips.

MEMELAS

Steps:

• Prepare Sauce: Broil the tomatoes and green chile(s) about 2-3" from the coils, on both sides. Peel tomatoes and chiles, core tomatoes, puree with onion in food processor with a little salt.
• Heat oil in frying pan over medium high heat, pour in sauce, a little first, then the rest, heat bubbling until it thickens 2-5 minutes. Add coriander
• Memelas: Mix 1/2 tsp salt, 2 cups masa harina and 1 1/3 cups of water with a wooden spoon Turn into a nice dough.
• Divide into 16 pieces
• Heat frying pan over medium high heat
• Roll out memelas to about 3" x 4" between sheets or parchment, wax paper or plastic.
• Fry 3-4 at a time until lightly golden on each side
• If possible, shape them into little dishes with raised edges
• Sprinkle cheese on each memela, spoon on sauce, heat them in a 350F oven for 2-3 minutes.