Pupusas with Curtido
SERVES 4 (MAKES 8 PUPUSAS)
TIME 1 ¼ HOURS
For an accurate measurement of boiling water, bring a full kettle of water to a boil and then measure out the desired amount. Properly hydrated masa dough should be tacky, requiring damp hands to keep it from sticking to your palms. If the dough feels the slightest bit dry at any time, knead in warm tap water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the dough is tacky. An occasional leak while frying the pupusas is to be expected, and the browned cheese is delicious. Feta cheese can be substituted for the cotija; if you can find quesillo, use 10 ounces in place of the cotija and Monterey Jack.
PUPUSAS
2 cups (8 ounces) masa harina
½ teaspoon table salt
2 cups boiling water, plus warm tap water as needed
2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
2 ounces cotija cheese, cut into 2 pieces
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 8 pieces
1 recipe Curtido (recipe follows)
Salsa to serve
CURTIDO
1 cup cider vinegar
½ cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 ½ teaspoons table salt
½ head green cabbage, cored & sliced thin (6 cups)
1 onion, sliced thin
1 large carrot, peeled & shredded
1 jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeded & minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1. FOR THE PUPUSAS: Using marker, draw 4-inch circle in center of 1 side of 1-quart or 1-gallon zipper-lock bag. Cut open seams along both sides of bag, but leave bottom seam intact so bag opens completely.
2. Mix masa harina and salt together in medium bowl. Add boiling water and 1 teaspoon oil and mix with rubber spatula until soft dough forms. Cover dough and let rest for 20 minutes.
3. While dough rests, line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Process cotija in food processor until cotija is finely chopped and resembles wet sand, about 20 seconds. Add Monterey Jack and process until mixture resembles wet oatmeal, about 30 seconds (it will not form cohesive mass). Remove processor blade. Form cheese mixture into 8 balls, weighing about 1 ¼ ounces each, and place balls on 1 half of prepared sheet.
4. Knead dough in bowl for 15 to 20 seconds. Test dough’s hydration by flattening golf ball–size piece. If cracks larger than ¼ inch form around edges, add warm tap water, 2 teaspoons at a time, until dough is soft and slightly tacky. Transfer dough to counter, shape into large ball, and divide into 8 equal pieces. Using your damp hands, roll 1 dough piece into ball and place on empty half of prepared sheet. Cover with damp dish towel. Repeat with remaining dough pieces.
5. Place open cut bag marked side down on counter. Place 1 dough ball in center of circle. Fold other side of bag over ball. Using glass pie plate or 8-inch square baking dish, gently press dough to 4-inch diameter, using circle drawn on bag as guide. Turn out disk into your palm and place 1 cheese ball in center. Bring sides of dough up around filling and pinch top to seal. Remoisten your hands and roll ball until smooth, smoothing any cracks with your damp fingertip. Return ball to bag and slowly press to 4-inch diameter. Pinch closed any small cracks that form at edges. Return pupusa to sheet and cover with damp dish towel. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
6. Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Wipe skillet clean with paper towels. Carefully lay 4 pupusas in skillet and cook until spotty brown on both sides, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to platter and repeat with remaining 4 pupusas. Serve warm with salsa and curtido.
TO MAKE AHEAD: At end of step 5, wrap baking sheet in plastic wrap and freeze until pupusas are solid. Wrap pupusas individually in plastic, then transfer pupusas to zipper-lock bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Cook directly from frozen, increasing cooking time by 1 minute per side.
7. FOR THE CURTIDO: Whisk vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in large bowl until sugar is dissolved. Add cabbage, onion, carrot, jalapeño, and oregano and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Toss slaw, then drain. Return slaw to bowl and stir in cilantro.
You can watch past episodes of America’s Test Kitchen on WSKG Passport.
For more information about WSKG Passport, please visit our support page.
To see other recipes from America’s Test Kitchen and other shows, visit Cooking with WSKG.
Photo Credit: America’s Test Kitchen