Salvadoran Pupusas

Salvadoran pupusas are delicious stuffed corn cakes that are a staple of Salvadoran cuisine. Here’s a traditional recipe for making pupusas:

Ingredients:

For the pupusa dough (masa):

• 2 cups masa harina (corn flour)
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

• 1 cup refried beans
• 1 cup shredded cheese (traditionally a cheese called quesillo, but you can use mozzarella or a similar cheese)
• Optional: cooked and seasoned pork (chicharrón)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina and salt.
2. Gradually add the warm water to the masa harina while mixing, until a soft dough forms. It should be pliable and not too dry or too wet. If it’s too dry, add a little more water; if it’s too wet, add a bit more masa harina.
3. Knead the dough for a few minutes until smooth. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes.

2. Prepare the filling:

1. If using chicharrón, mix it with the refried beans.
2. Divide the cheese and bean mixture into small portions, about 2 tablespoons each.

3. Form the pupusas:

1. Take a small handful of dough and roll it into a ball, then flatten it into a disc about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Place a portion of the filling in the center of the disc.
3. Carefully fold the dough over the filling, enclosing it completely, and gently flatten the ball into a disc again. Make sure the filling is completely sealed inside the dough.
4. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

4. Cook the pupusas:

1. Heat a lightly greased skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
2. Place the pupusas on the hot skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to adjust the heat to prevent burning.
3. Once cooked, remove the pupusas from the skillet and serve hot.

5. Serve:

1. Serve the pupusas warm with curtido, a traditional Salvadoran cabbage slaw, and tomato sauce or salsa on the side.
2. Enjoy your delicious homemade pupusas!

Feel free to adjust the filling according to your preferences, adding more cheese, beans, or even adding cooked meats like shredded chicken or beef. Enjoy your homemade pupusas!