Salvadorian Style Chicharrón Shredded Pork Food

CHICHARRON PUPUSA

Steps:

• Render pork fat in a saucepan on low heat until golden brown, about 20 minutes, then remove the crispy chicharron from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside to air dry for 24 hours.
• Cook pork butt in the same saucepan on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 20 minutes. (Note: Do not drain the fat from the saucepan since it will be a great flavor enhancer.) Add onions and scrape the pan very well with a wooden spoon to get most of the drippings. Grind chicharron, pork butt, onions and garlic together in a meat grinder. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and cumin, then refrigerate for 6 hours.
• Using your hands, grab 3 ounces of Masa and mound it on one hand, making a well. Grab 3 ounces chicharron mixture and cover the well, simultaneously surrounding the chicharron mixture with the Masa until everything is covered. Use both of your palms and press gently until you achieve a uniform 1/4-inch-thick disc. Use small amounts of water as needed to assist in releasing the Masa from your hands. Once the discs are made cook them on a hot griddle, 4 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Top with Curtido and Pupusa Sauce.
• Combine masa, salt and enough water to incorporate the masa (up to 1 quart) in a large mixing bowl. Knead together until masa does not stick to your hands.
• Boil 3 quarts water in a large saucepan and add 3 tablespoons salt. Add cabbage and let cook 30 seconds, then immediately pull it out and set aside. Reserve 1 quart cooking water.
• Add cabbage to a large mixing bowl, then add carrots, vinegar, onions, sugar, oregano, pepper flakes, bay leaves, remaining 3 tablespoons salt and reserved cooking water and mix together. Transfer to a 6-quart container and let sit in a dry and cool place for 5 days. Note: Curtido needs to be submerged in liquid, so place a plate over the top if necessary.
• Saute garlic and onions in oil in a saucepan, then immediately add tomatoes, sugar, oregano, bay leaves and 1 quart water. Cook at low heat for 45 minutes, then let cool down. Remove bay leaves and blend.

SALVADORAN PULLED PORK PUPUSAS WITH PICKLED CABBAGE

Steps:

• For the pickled cabbage: Combine the vegetables in a large bowl. In a medium saucepan, add the vinegar, water, spices, brown sugar and salt and bring to a boil. Pour the hot pickling liquid over the vegetables. Mix the ingredients well and let stand for at least 24 hours before serving, stirring occasionally. This mixture will keep for 2 to 3 weeks covered in the refrigerator.
• For the pork filling: Season the pork with the salt and pepper and place in a medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover by 2-inches, about 6 cups. Bring to a simmer and partially cover the pot; cook until the meat is very tender and almost all of the liquid has evaporated, about 3 hours. Uncover the pork and let it slightly pan fry in its own fat, stirring, until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeno, oregano and cinnamon in a blender. Puree until smooth. Add the tomato mixture to the pork in the saucepan and stir to loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Lower the heat and simmer for another 30 minutes, or until pork is falling apart and most of the liquid has reduced from the sauce. The pork mixture should be very thick. Set aside to cool while you prepare the masa dough. (This will yield more pork than you need for this recipe but any leftover can be frozen and/or used in other recipes. It makes a great filling for tacos, burritos, quesadillas or enchiladas and also works well as a sandwich filling when mixed with a tangy barbecue sauce.)
• For the dough: In a bowl, combine the masa harina with the warm water and salt mix until soft dough forms. Let stand for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in up to a 1/4 cup of cold water, until the dough become soft but not sticky. Divide the dough into 16 golf ball size pieces. Keep the dough covered as you work.
• To form a pupusa: Rub the palm of your hands with a little olive oil. While holding of the dough balls in 1 hand, press the thumb of the other hand in the middle of the ball of dough to form an indentation, then turning the dough, begin to flatten it with your fingertips into a 4-inch concave disk resembling a small bowl. In the center of the disk add 2 tablespoons of the pork and 1/2 tablespoon of the shredded cheese. Bring the edges of the dough together over the filling and squeeze to form a seal. Working gently, press the dough into a flattened disk, flattening the dough middle and edges to form a thick pancake shape about 4-inches in diameter. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
• Lightly rub the pupusas with oil and place them on a heated, greased griddle over medium-high heat. Cook each side until golden brown in spots and slightly puffy, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Serve hot, with a serving of the pickled cabbage on the side.

PUPUSAS: STUFFED CORN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, mix the masa harina with the water and salt, stirring well. Add more water if necessary to obtain a soft dough that does not crack around the edges when flattened.
• Let the dough rest, covered with plastic wrap, for about 15 minutes.
• If using the refried beans and/or the chicharrón, place in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. The consistency should be like a paste.
• Divide the dough into about 6 pieces.
• Lightly oil your hands to keep the dough from sticking to them (just a small amount of vegetable oil will do). Form each piece of dough into a ball, then make an indentation in the ball.
• Place the grated quesillo, beans, chicharrón, or a combination of fillings in the indentation, and carefully wrap dough around the filling to seal.
• Flatten the ball into a disk, about 1/4 inch thick, being careful to keep the filling from leaking out of the edges. This can take a little practice.
• Wipe a very small amount of oil onto the surface of a heavy skillet ( cast iron works well). Heat the skillet over medium heat, and place the pupusas in the skillet.
• Once the bottoms of the pupusas are browned, about 2 to 3 minutes, flip over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and serve warm with a side of pickled cabbage slaw ( curtido ) and tomato sauce ( salsa roja ) if desired.
• Enjoy.