Learn Something New: Pupusas!
During our team’s recent trip to El Salvador, they fell in love with pupusas! Pupusas are a treasured meal in El Salvador, loved by all! Pupusas have been declared the national dish and Salvadorans have even set a specific day to celebrate it! If you’re looking for something new to try, Pupusas will surely be a crowd-pleaser for one or for twenty!
A Pupusa is a thick griddlecake or flatbread made with cornmeal or rice flour and is very easy to make. They can be filled with anything! Beans, chicken, garlic, or jalapenos are some favorites. They are often served with salsa Roja (red salsa) and curtido (a traditional, lightly fermented cabbage relish). If you are local to the Twin Cities, you can check out this restaurant and Pupuseria in St. Paul! See the pupusa recipe below!
Pupusa Recipe
For the Pupusas:
4 cups masa harina (corn flour), white or yellow
3 ½ - 4 cups warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, softened (optional)
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon (optional)
For the filling:
1 can refried beans
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, or Oaxaca cheese
Anything else you want to add!
1. Add masa harina (corn flour) and salt to a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the warm water, little by little, mixing the dough with your hand. You may not need all of the water. You want the masa to be the consistency of soft play-dough. If the dough is too wet, mix in some more masa harina. If it’s too dry, add a little more water.
3. Mix in butter and chicken bouillon, if using.
4. Scoop the dough into large, golf-ball-size portions. You can scoop all of the dough into balls before continuing, or make 1 pupusa at a time. Be sure to keep the dough covered with a damp cloth as you work, to keep it from drying out.
5. Use the palms of your hands to pat the dough into a disc, about 4 inches in diameter. (Rub hands with oil if dough sticks.)
6. Scoop about half a tablespoon of the beans and place in the center of the dough circle, followed by a pinch of shredded cheese.
7. Gently bring the edges of the dough up and around the filling, pinching it closed into a ball. Gently pat the dough between your palms to form it into a disc again.
8. Be gentle so you don’t have big cracks of filling come through, but if you do have some, it’s fine! They don’t need to be perfect!
9. Heat a large ungreased skillet or pan over medium heat. Place pupusas on the hot pan and cook for about 2-4 minutes on each side. You will know the pupusas are ready to flip when the edges are set and the bottom is lightly golden.
10. Serve immediately, topped with Curtido and Salsa Roja. Yum!
We hope you enjoy learning this new meal in the new year! If you try this recipe be sure to tag us on Instagram at @printtheloveorg!