Pupusas

Missy Wombat's Note:

From the streets of El Salvador and Honduras, these are masa 'cakes' with a filling that is fried. The usual fillings are meat or cheese but there is no reason why beans etc could not be used.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 6 ounces mild cheese (or the fillng of your choice)
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1. Mix the masa harina, cumin, salt and 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.
2. To make a 3 inch round papusa, take about half a cup of dough and roll it into a ball. flatten with your hand.
3. Put the filling in the centre [in this case, cheese, cilantro, salt and pepper].
4. Work the edges up over the filling and again form a ball, completely enclosing the filling.
5. Flatten each ball to about 1/4 inch or less and cook the papusas on a hot, lightly oiled griddle for about 3 minutes per side, or until both sides are lightly browned.
6. Serve warm.

Reviews

[lisabowman5_12898820]

I really like this recipe, the only changes I made is that I did a ratio of 1:1 on the masa and water. It was a little loose, but the end result was amazing. Also, I just couldn't master the putting the stuffing into the pocket and then closing it up, (perhaps because the dough was loose). So instead, I tossed a small ball of dough between oiled hands until flat, laid that down, added the filling on top, made another flattened ball of dough, laid that on top and then crimped edges and flattened the whole thing. I know it sounds like more work, but it ended up being easier for me, and they turned out perfect, with no leaks, (unlike my other ones).

[Julie F]

We made these when my daughter had an assignment to make a food from El Salvador. These turned out very well and weren't difficult to make. Next time I would add plenty of salt, as a previous reviewer suggested. I don't usually like to add salt while I am cooking, but I added about 1/2 t to the batch of dough. I would definitely double and maybe even triple that. I think I should have tried to get more filling in as well. I didn't stuff them too full so that they were easier to keep together, but they would have tasted better if they were cheesier. The recipe is perfect, I just need to perfect my techniques! Thanks for sharing!

[LaceySingh]

This was a very good and filling meal! I have been experimenting with different foods from all over the world and this was a hit. My hubby loved it, he just wanted a little more spice in it since I just used canned refried beans and cheese. Next time I think I'm going to use spicy pork or something and give these even more substance!