Gorditas

Recipe courtesy Margarita Mendez, Pueblo Viejo, Austin, TX

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 6 gorditas

Ingredients

• 1  lb white corn, dough
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 8  ounces chorizo sausage
• 2  poblano peppers, roasted, peeled and sliced
• 1  garlic clove
• 1  tomatoes, halved and diced
• 1⁄2 onion, sliced
•  store-bought  refried beans
•  shredded lettuce, for garnish
•  sliced tomatoes, for garnish
•  queso fresco, for garnish

Directions

1. Combine the corn dough and 1 cup water, adding the water little by little until the dough is soft, smooth and doesn't stick to fingers.
2. Take 3/4 cup dough and roll into a ball, then flatten into a 1/2-inch thick round disk. Place on a hot flat-top or in a cast-iron skillet for 4 minutes to form a crust. Flip and repeat on the other side.
3. Using a knife, poke into the edge of the gordita, opening up one-third of the inside, making it into a pocket. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Set aside, covered, while making the filing.
4. Pour the vegetable oil on the flat-top or in the cast-iron skillet. Remove the chorizo from its casing and crumble onto the hot oil. Cook for 1 minute, releasing the spices. Add the poblano peppers, garlic, tomatoes and onions. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Spread a spoonful of the refried beans inside a gordita. Add the chorizo/vegetable mixture and garnish with lettuce, sliced tomatoes and queso fresco.