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How to Make Basic Cheese Pupusas - A Step-by-Step Guide

Pupusas are a traditional Salvadoran dish that consists of a thick, handmade corn tortilla filled with various ingredients such as cheese, beans, or meat. They are a beloved street food in El Salvador and are often served with curtido (a pickled cabbage slaw) and salsa roja (a red tomato sauce).

For those who have never tried pupusas before, they are essentially a cross between a quesadilla and a stuffed pancake. The dough is made from masa harina (corn flour), which gives it a unique...

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup water, or more as needed
  • ½ onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • ¼ teaspoon ground oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • salt to taste
  • 3 cups masa harina flour (Mexican corn masa mix)
  • 1 ½ cups water, or more as needed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, or more to taste
  • 1 scallion, finely chopped, or more to taste
  • cooking spray

Information

  • Prep Time: 40 mins
  • Cook Time: 12 mins
  • Additional Time: 8 hrs 5 mins
  • Total Time: 8 hrs 57 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 pupusas

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add cabbage and cook uncovered until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain.
  • Mix cabbage, apple cider vinegar, water, onion, carrot, oregano, red pepper flakes, and 1 pinch salt together in a large bowl. Refrigerate until flavors combine, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Combine masa harina, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a large bowl; knead until a smooth, moist dough forms. Add water if dough cracks when you press down on it. Let dough rest, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Stir ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, heavy cream, and scallion together in a bowl to make a paste.
  • Divide dough into 8 balls. Press your thumb into the center of each ball to form an indentation. Fill indentations with ricotta cheese paste. Pinch edges together around the filling; flatten and smooth into round 1/4 inch-thick patties between your palms.
  • Grease a skillet with cooking spray; preheat over medium heat. Cook pupusas in batches until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  • Drain cabbage mixture and serve alongside pupusas.

    • Nutrition

    197 cal.

    • Total Fat: 4g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
    • Cholesterol: 5mg
    • Sodium: 181mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 39g
    • Dietary Fiber: 5g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 5g
    • Vitamin C: 9mg
    • Calcium: 107mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 251mg

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