Masa Cakes From Veracruz Recipes

MASA CORN CAKES WITH POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• See how to poach eggs
• Make the salsa: Combine the tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Make the corn cakes: Warm the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat just until the butter melts. Combine the masa harina, 1 teaspoon salt, the sugar and queso fresco in a large bowl. Stir in the milk mixture to make a soft dough. Scoop the dough into 8 portions (about 1/4 cup each) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with another sheet of parchment; press a pan on top to flatten into disks.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, fry the corn cakes until crisp and golden on the bottom, about 3 1/2 minutes; flip, press lightly with a spatula and cook until golden on the other side. Continue with the remaining cakes, adding more oil as needed. Season the cakes with salt; place on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while you poach the eggs.
• Bring a deep pan of water to a simmer over medium-low heat; add the vinegar. Poach the eggs.
• Divide the corn cakes among 4 plates; top each cake with a poached egg, salsa and cheese; serve with avocado.

FRIED MASA CAKES WITH CHEESE (AREPAS DE QUESO)

Steps:

• Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and stir in butter.
• Combine arepa flour, salt, sugar, and mozzarella in a large bowl.
• Add hot milk and stir until combined. Let mixture stand until milk is absorbed enough for a soft dough to form, 1 to 2 minutes (dough will continue to stiffen).
• Form dough into 12 balls (about 2 inches in diameter) and flatten between palms into 3 1/2- to 4-inch patties (about 1/3 inch thick).
• Heat ‚ tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over moderately low heat until hot, then cook 3 or 4 arepas until cooked through and golden in patches, 6 to 8 minutes on each side. Make more arepas in same manner, adding oil as needed.

OVAL MASA CAKES WITH GOAT CHEESE FILLING

Steps:

• Mix goat cheese and cilantro in medium bowl for filling. Cover; chill.
• Combine fresh masa or masa harina mixture, lard, and salt in large bowl. Knead until well blended, adding warm water by teaspoonfuls as needed until dough is soft but not sticky. Divide into 12 equal portions; shape each into ball. Arrange on sheet of foil; cover.
• Cut two 8-inch rounds from heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Place 1 plastic round on bottom half of tortilla press. Place 1 dough ball in center; top with second plastic round. Close tortilla press, gently flattening dough to 4-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Peel off top plastic. Arrange 2 tablespoons goat cheese filling in strip in center of dough round. Using bottom plastic as aid, fold up sides of dough over filling. Using moistened fingertips, mold dough into oval, sealing filling inside. Arrange, seam side down, on sheet of aluminum foil. Repeat with remaining masa balls and filling.
• Heat 2 heavy large ungreased griddles or skillets over medium heat. Arrange 6 cakes in each. Cook until cakes are pale golden, 8 minutes per side. Transfer masa cakes to baking sheet. (Masa cakes can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Pour vegetable oil into each griddle to depth of 1/8 inch. Heat over medium-high heat 2 minutes. Add 6 masa cakes to each griddle. Fry until masa cakes are heated through and golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.
• Arrange masa cakes on platter. Spoon some tomatillo salsa over. Garnish with radishes. Serve with remaining salsa.

MASA PANCAKES

Steps:

• If using masa harina, combine in a medium bowl with ½ cup hot water and, using a rubber bowl scraper, stir and mash together until no dry spots remain. Cover with a plate or plastic wrap and let cool, about 30 minutes.
• If using fresh masa, crumble into a medium bowl.
• Melt 5 Tbsp. butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour in buttermilk and remove from heat. Set aside.
• Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl to combine.
• Add eggs and sugar to masa and whisk until only a few lumps remain. Add half of buttermilk mixture and whisk until homogeneous. Add remaining buttermilk and whisk again to combine. Add to bowl with dry ingredients and mix until no dry streaks remain.
• Heat a large griddle or 2 cast-iron or nonstick skillets over medium; brush with butter. Working in batches, scoop ¼-cupfuls of batter onto griddle and cook until bubbles form on the surface and undersides are golden brown, about 3 minutes. If undersides are browning too quickly, reduce heat to low. Flip pancakes and cook until golden brown on the other sides, about 2 minutes. Transfer pancakes to individual plates or a platter. Serve with butter and maple syrup. Do ahead: Masa harina dough can be made 3 day ahead. Once cool enough to handle, wrap tightly in plastic and chill.

MASA CAKES FROM VERACRUZ

Steps:

• 1. Put the ingredients in a food processor and process until the mixture comes together to form a soft smooth dough. Remove from the processor and knead the dough by hand to test the moistness. The dough should be moist and soft, but should not stick to your hands. If too dry, moisten hands with water and work the dough until it reaches the desired consistency. Put the dough in a plastic bag and let rest for 20 to 30 minutes. 2. Heat a comal, griddle, or skillet over medium heat. Flatten egg-size balls of dough--by hand or in a tortilla press--into small cakes 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick. Cook in a large, dry pan for 3 minutes on each side or until crusty and flecked with brown in spots. Serve bocoles warm. NOTE: To stuff the bocoles: When they are hot off the pan, slit an opening with a small sharp knife and slip in a small thin piece of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, or asadero. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

POTATO MASA CAKES

Steps:

• 1. In a small saucepan, cook the potato in salted water to cover until very tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and mash potato with the butter while still hot. Cool until lukewarm. 2. In a mixing bowl, using clean hands, mix the masa harina, salt, and water together to make a soft dough. If too dry, add additional water 1 to 2 teaspoons at a time until the dough is moist and soft, but not sticky. Add the mashed potato and work it into the masa with your hands. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and form into balls. 3. Put 1 ball between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and gently press and pat lightly with your hands to make a 4-inch round cake about 1/3-inch thick. 4. Preheat the oven to 200°. In an 8-inch nonstick skillet, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Remove the plastic and fry the cake until golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Put on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while shaping and frying the remaining cakes. Serve hot. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.