Pupusas -- thick, flat tortilla-like cakes stuffed with meat, beans, cheese, vegetables and other fillings -- have been the main staple of the Salvadoran diet for centuries, since back when the Pipil tribe roamed the country. Today, Salvadoran immigrants have brought pupusas and other traditional dishes to the United States in cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Pupusas are fairly simple to make, as they involve few ingredients and do not take long to cook.
Instructions
1. Combine the masa harina, salt and warm water together in a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients until they are completely blended. The mixture should be moist but not sticky. Set the dough mixture aside for 10 minutes.
2. Roll your dough into a log and then cut it into eight portions of equal size.
3. Shape each portion into a ball. Press your finger into the ball to make room for the filling.
4. Put about 1 tablespoon of beans and cheese into the indentation of each ball; then fold the dough back over the hole, completely enclosing the filling.
5. Press the ball flat, creating a disk-like shape. Be careful during this step; you don't want the filling to spill out.
6. Place the balls on a flat surface and put a piece of plastic wrap on top of them. Use a rolling pin to flatten the disks a bit more.
7. Heat a skillet over high heat, and lubricate the pan with a little cooking spray to prevent sticking.
8. Cook each disk for one to two minutes on each side, until your pupusas are a nice golden-brown color.
Tags: beans cheese, into ball