Let's Make Some Pupusas! (Savory stuffed corn cakes)

I love food, from all parts of the world. When I taste something I like, the first thing that comes to my mind is, How can I make this at home?

One of these foods is called a pupusa. It basically is a stuffed corn tortilla. I remember the first time I ate one, a Salvadorean friend had invited me over and she served me a pupusa. It was a lot thicker than a regular tortilla and it was filled with meat and cheese. She served it with a pickled cabbage salad called curtido. It was delicious, and right away I asked her how to make them. This was a few years ago, and I have made these pupusas many times now. The recipe is not completely traditional, but the concept is the same.

Here is what you need;

CURTIDO

• ½ head of cabbage
• 1 large carrot
• 1 onion
• 1 jalapeno (optional)

Shred all of these ingredients and place them in a bowl
Pour enough boiling water to cover, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Drain well, and add

• 1 cup of water
• ½ cup vinegar
• 2 tsps oregano
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

PUPUSAS

• 4 cups of corn flour (I use Maseca)
• 3 cups of warm water
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp oil

Filling of choice - you can use cheese, or meat and cheese, or beans

Mix all ingredients.

You want to form a soft dough, it should not be wet. If it is too wet add just enough of the corn flour so that it is not sticky.

You are now ready to form the pupusa. I use an ice cream scoop so that they come out unifom in size.

Slightly flatten it out in your hand and add some filling.

Now wrap the dough around the filling. Flatten it out on a piece of wax paper until it forms a nice circle.

Lightly grease a griddle that has been preheated to medium high heat.
Place the pupusas on the griddle. Cook them for about 5 minutes on each side. You will see they are ready when the have a nice golden color.

Serve with the curtido and enjoy!