Salvadorian Pupusas

My boyfriend and I love going to Salvadorian restaurants in DC and ordering these hot and cheesy corn cakes with curtido (a condiment resembling coleslaw) and hot sauce. In the restaurants, you see the cook making these very fast, and I'm always amazed by how thin they get the outer layer of dough without any holes. The filling always stays inside, waiting for you! You have to work with this recipe several times to get it right, but it's worth trying if you want to do your own pupusas. The most important suggestion I have is to always, always use masa harina flour (fine ground cornmeal made from dry hominy). North American corn meal is not an adequate substitute and you'll get an extra greasy, uneven result. You can find all of the ingredients in a Spanish store or bodega.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 8-12

Ingredients

• 5  cups masa harina flour
• 4  cups water, approximately
• 16 -24  ounces  canned  refried beans
• 3  cups  soft  white cheese
•  light vegetable oil or  light olive oil

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, gradually stir water into masa harina until dough forms a ball that can be handled.
2. Into another bowl, empty the refried beans. Place the grated cheese into a separate bowl.
3. Divide dough into about 25 pieces. Roll each into a ball and flatten between the palms of your hands to about 1/2-inch thick. Put a spoonful of beans and a small handful of cheese into the center of each pupusa. Flatten again with the filling inside.
4. Heat a heavy, wide-bottomed or flat skillet until hot. Brush with oil and cook pupusas on each side 4-5 minutes until a pale golden-brown. The outside should be firm.