Pantry Papusas

I wanted to clean up a bit and I had been wanting papusas, and since papusas are one of those dishes that are perfect for leftovers, it was perfect timing.  Yes you need a "specality" ingredient.  I put that in quotes because it is available at my local supermarket, but I still consider it a specality ingredient since it is not a staple in most homes.  It keeps and isn't expensive so you shouldn't worry about adding it to your pantry.  (besides it makes more than just papusas;)  I based the papusa off a food and wine recipe, but everything else was just lying around the kitchen waiting to go bad ;). 


Pantry Papusas

2 Cup masa harina (see Note)
1 3/4 Cup very warm tap water
Kosher salt
vegetable oil for frying
1 c finely shredded jack and a bit of cheddar.
5 cloves of roasted garlic minced

 In a medium bowl, using your hands, mix the masa harina with the
water and 1/2 teaspoon salt until a soft dough forms. Cover the bowl
with plastic wrap and let the dough stand for 30 minutes. 
Mix the cheeses and garlic in a bowl.  (you can vary this filling for all sorts of leftovers)
 Divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
Working with 1 ball at a time and keeping the rest covered, press the
dough in the palm of your hand to form a cup with walls about 3/8 inch
thick. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the filling into the cup and pinch
to seal. Pat the filled dough into a flat 4-inch patty; pinch to seal
any cracks. Set the pupusa on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
 Repeat with the remaining balls of dough and filling.
In a large, nonstick skillet, heat 1/2 cup of the oil until
shimmering. Add 4 pupusas and cook over high heat, turning once or twice,
 until golden and crisp outside and heated through, about 5 minutes.
Repeat with the remaining pupusas, adding more oil to the skillet as
needed.

They suggest serveing the pupusas with sour cream, pickled jalapeos, chopped
onion, guacamole and hot sauce, and I do, but I also really like a refried bean "sauce" too I just kind of whipped one up with what I had on hand and the recipe follows.  (I really liked it)

Make Ahead The uncooked pupusas can be stacked between sheets of wax
paper, wrapped in plastic and refrigerated overnight. Notes Masa harina
can be found in supermarkets. A popular brand is Maseca.
 

The bean "sauce"

 

One 15 ounce canned ounce can of red beans
half of the medium onion small onion
one small jalapeno seeded
1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream
A squirt of ketchup
 cumin and some garlic powder salt-and-pepper  (to taste)

sauté the onion add the jalapeno add some cumin and some garlic powder salt-and-pepper
Add the beans and about a 1/4 cup of stock or water and cook for about 5 minutes
Mash up  the beans with a  potato masher.
When the little bit of stock when the liquid has cooked out and the beans are well mashed add the cream and ketchup and mix well

 



plan and out of the pan