Pupusas Masa Cakes With Bacon And Cheddar Food

PUPUSAS

Steps:

• Mix the masa harina, water into a dough which is soft but not sticky. Be prepared to add more flour if necessary. If it is too dry, add more water.
• To make a 3 inch round pupusa, take about half a cup of dough and roll it into a ball. flatten with your hand.
• Put the filling in the centre [in this case, cheese, cilantro, salt and pepper].
• Work the edges up over the filling and again form a ball, completely enclosing the filling.
• Flatten each ball to about 1/4 inch or less and cook the pupusas on a hot, lightly oiled griddle for about 3 minutes per side, or until both sides are lightly browned.
• Serve warm.

SALTY PAPUSAS

Steps:

• You will also need 1 cup of your filling of choice (see variations).
• 1. In a large bowl, mix together the masa harina and water and knead well.
• 2. Knead in more water, one tablespoonful at a time if needed, to make a moist, yet firm dough. (It should not crack at the edges when you press down on it.).
• 3. Cover and set aside to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
• 4. Roll the dough into a log and cut it into 8 equal portions.
• 5. Roll each portion into a ball.
• 6. Press an indentation in each ball with your thumb.
• 7. Put about 1 tablespoon of desired filling into each indentation and fold the dough over to completely enclose it.
• 8. Press the ball out with your palms to form a disc, taking care that that the filling doesn't spill out.
• 9. Line a tortilla press with plastic and press out each ball to about 5 or 6 inches wide and about 1/4-inch thick. If you don't have a tortilla press, place the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper and roll it out with a rolling pin.
• 10. Heat a greased skillet over medium-high flame. Cook each pupusa for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and blistered. Remove to a plate and hold warm until all pupusas are done.
• 11. Serve with curtido and salsa roja.
• 12. VARIATIONS.
• 13. This recipe uses masa harina, a special dried cornmeal flour used in making tortillas, tamales, etc. If you are able to get fresh masa, definitely use it instead. The flavor will be much fresher. Just substitute the masa harina and water with fresh masa. One pound will make about 4 to 6 pupusas depending on size.
• 14. Pupusas de Queso: With a cheese filling. Use grated quesillo, queso fresco, farmer's cheese, mozzarella, Swiss cheese or a combination. Add some minced green chile if you like.
• 15. Pupusas de Chicharrones: With a filling of fried chopped pork and a little tomato sauce. A reasonable facsimile can be made by pulsing 1 cup of cooked bacon with a little bit of tomato sauce in a food processor.
• 16. Pupusas de Frijoles Refritos: With a refried bean filling.
• 17. Pupusas Revueltas: Use a mixture of chicharrones, cheese and refried beans.
• 18. Pupusas de Queso y Loroco: With a cheese and tropical vine flower filling. Loroco can be found in jars at many Latin markets.
• 19. Pupusas de Arroz: A variety of pupusa that uses rice flour instead of corn masa.
• 20. Other Fillings: Cooked potatoes or finely minced, sautéed jalapeño peppers are also tasty fillings. Try a mixture of different fillings.
• 21. Note: The pupusa is so fundamental to the cuisine of El Salvador that the country has even declared November 13th "National Pupusa Day.".

SALVADORIAN WHITE CORN CAKES WITH PORK, BEANS, AND CHEESE: PUPUSAS

Steps:

• In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine corn flour, water, and butter. Mix until incorporated into dough. Let dough rest for 1/2 hour.
• In a medium saute pan melt lard. Add onion and pork and cook until translucent, set aside and cool.
• Portion the dough in small balls, approximately 1 ounce, and flatten with hands. Place approximately 1 tablespoon of the pork stuffing on top of each flattened dough and sprinkle with cheese. Cover with another flattened disk of dough and seal edges by pinching them together.
• Cook in electric flat top or cast iron griddle for approximately 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with refried beans.

CRISPY CHEDDAR CAKES WITH BACON

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off fat into a bowl. Wipe skillet clean with a paper towel; set aside.
• Stir together cheese, sour cream, bell pepper, scallions, flour, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, cayenne, and egg yolks in a large bowl; set aside. In another large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold beaten egg whites into reserved batter.
• Heat 2 tablespoons reserved fat (or vegetable oil) in skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches of 3 or 4, pour 2 tablespoons batter into skillet for each cake; cook, turning once, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes (add more fat or oil if skillet seems dry). Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with reserved bacon.

PUPUSAS CON CURTIDO (MASA CAKES WITH SPICY SLAW)

Steps:

• Combine vinegar, sugar, oregano, chiles, carrots, onions, and cabbage in a bowl. Season with salt; toss; let chill.
• Put masa harina and 1 3⁄4 cups water into a bowl; stir to form a dough.
• Pinch off a 1 1⁄2 oz piece of dough; roll it into a ball. Pat dough into a thin disk.
• Squeeze 1 1⁄4 oz cheese into a ball. Press cheese into center of dough; cupping dough, stretch edges of dough around cheese and seal.
• Pat dough to form a 3 1⁄2" wide disk. Repeat to make 12 pupusas in all.
• Heat a 12" nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 3 batches, cook pupusas, turning, until golden, 10-12 minutes. Serve hot with slaw.