Casa Bonita Sopapilla Recipes

SOPAPILLAS

Steps:

• Sift the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add the shortening and water, work them in with your hands to make a soft, pliable dough. Add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if the dough feels too dry. Gather the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Put the dough in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour so it will firm up a bit and be easier to roll and cut. (Dough can be prepared 1 day ahead, refrigerated.)
• Unwrap the ball of dough and put on a lightly floured surface, cut in half. With a floured rolling pin, roll each piece of dough into a circle, about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a paring knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into triangles as you would a pizza. You should end up with 6 or 8 triangles per circle.
• Heat 2-inches of oil to 375 degrees F in a heavy skillet or deep pot over medium-high heat.
• Fry a few of the sopapillas at a time, keeping an eye on maintaining the oil temperature. As the sopapillas puff up and rise to the surface, flip them over with a slotted spoon, skimmer, or chopsticks; about 2 minutes on each side. Carefully remove the sopapillas from the oil and drain on several layers of paper towels or a brown paper bag. Cool slightly. Serve hot with honey or cinnamon sugar.

REAL SOPAPILLAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt and shortening. Stir in water; mix until dough is smooth. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes.
• Roll out on floured board until 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 3 inch squares. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

SOPAPILLAS

Steps:

• Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
• Cut shortening in until mixture is a rough texture.
• Gradually add warm water.
• Mix to form dough.
• Knead until smooth.
• Cover and let stand for 20 minutes (this will make it easier to roll out).
• Start oil heating (desired temp is 375° - 400°).
• On a lightly floured board, roll dough thin (between 1/4 and 1/8 inch).
• Cut into 3 inch squares.
• Fry a few at a time, turning when golden and puffed up.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Serve immediately.

SOPAPILLAS (YEAST VARIATION)

Steps:

• Bring milk just to a boil.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Combine flour, salt and baking powder in medium bowl.
• Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal; make well in center.
• Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.
• Pour in 1/2 cup of the cooled milk.
• Pour the yeast mixture into the center of dry ingredients.
• Add additional milk if necessary so the dough just holds together.
• Gather dough together and knead 15 times.
• Cover with a cloth and let stand about 10 minutes.
• Heat oil in a deep-fat fryer to 375 degrees.
• On a floured surface, roll out half the dough to a 1/4-inch sheet.
• Cut into 9 triangles and cover with a towel to keep moist.
• Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Add a few to oil at a time.
• Fry on both sides 3 to 5 minutes.
• Drain on paper toweling.