Masa Cups With Spicy Meat Filling Recipes

SALVADORAN STUFFED MASA CAKES

Steps:

• Toss together cheese, beans, pork rind, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl with your hands, then press mixture firmly into 16 (1 1/2-inch) balls (for filling).
• Combine tortilla flour, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and knead with your hands until a uniform dough forms, about 1 minute. (Dough should be moist but not sticky. If necessary, knead a little more tortilla flour or water into dough.)
• Flatten 1/4 cup dough between moistened palms into a 4-inch disk. Wrap disk around a ball of filling, enclosing it, and form into a smooth ball. Reflatten between your palms into a 4-inch disk (1/2 inch thick; filling should remain hidden). Put on a tray lined with plastic wrap and cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying. Make 15 more pupusas.
• Heat a comal or large (2-burner) griddle over medium-low heat until hot, at least 2 minutes. Brush lightly with oil, then cook pupusas in batches, turning and pressing lightly with a metal spatula every 2 to 3 minutes, until crusty and browned in spots (some cheese may ooze out), 10 to 12 minutes total per batch. Serve immediately.

MASA CUPS WITH SPICY MEAT FILLING

Steps:

• 1. Lightly dust a baking sheet with flour. Make the masa dough (tortilla dough) and roll into approximately golf-ball size pieces. Flatten each ball to about 2 1/2 inches. Using thumbs and fingers, pinch up the edges all around and form into shallow bowls about 3/4-inch deep. Place the formed shells on the baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying out until ready to fry. 2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Break up the meat and add to the hot oil. Cook, stirring until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, and oregano. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and chipotle salsa. Raise the heat and cook briskly to reduce the juices. Season with salt. Remove from the heat. Keep warm while frying the shells. 3. In a heavy medium skillet, pour oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches. When the oil shimmers, fry the shells in batches, on both sides, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Fill the shells with the meat mixture while still hot. Top with a little salsa, sour cream, and a sprinkle of cilantro, if desired. Serve at once. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.