Pupusas With Variations

Submitted by Debbie R.

"This is from whats4eats.com. I haven't tried it yet. Thie site had a lot of great variations on this treat from El Salvador. Times are guesstimates. You can make vegan papusas by using a bean, potato and/or chili pepper filling. Whatever filling you choose to make from those listed below, you will need one cup of it to fill the breads."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 10mins
• Ingredients: 2
• Yields: 8 pupusas

ingredients

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1 cup warm water

directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the masa harina and water. Knead well. 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.) Cover and set aside to rest 5-10 minutes.
2. Roll dough into a log and cut into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Press a hole in each ball with your thumb. Put about 1 tablespoon of desired filling into each ball. Fold the dough over to completely enclose it. Press the ball out with your palms to form a disc, taking care that that the filling doesn't spill out.
3. Line a tortilla press with plastic and press out each ball to about 5-6 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 and roll it out with a rolling pin.
4. Heat an ungreased skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each pupusa for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and blistered. Remove to a plate and hold warm until all pupusas are done. Serve with curtido and salsa roja.
5. VARIATIONS:.
6. 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.
7. Pupusas de Chicharrones: With a filling of fried chopped pork and a little tomato sauce. A reasonable facsimile can be made by grinding 1 cup of cooked bacon with a little bit of tomato sauce in a food processor.
8. Pupusas de Frijoles Refritos: With a refried bean filling.
9. Pupusas Revueltas: Use a mixture of chicharrones, cheese and refried beans.
10. Pupusas de Queso y Loroco: With a cheese and tropical vine flower filling. Loroco can be found in jars at many Latin markets.
11. Pupusas de Arroz: A variety of pupusa that uses rice flour instead of corn masa.
12. Cooked potatoes or finely minced, sautéed jalapeño peppers are also tasty fillings. You can also try a mixture of different fillings.