Black Bean Chorizo Casserole

My husband is in love with masa. If it were up to him, he would eat some type of masa dish every day. I'm having fun experimenting with it in different dishes, and I am constantly trying to come up with new ways to use it. I have no problem cooking with it often, it is an easy, tasty ingredient to use!

For Filling:

1 can clack beans

2 links chorizo, casings removed, and diced

1 can fire roasted tomatoes

1 cup corn kernals.

1/4 cup diced onions

1 jalapeno, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp vinegar

2 tsp cumin

For Crust:

1 cup masa

1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese

1 bunch green onions, finely sliced

1 3/4 cups water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

On stovetop, over medium heat, combine all filling ingredients, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften. 

Meanwhile, combine all crust ingredients, mixing until blended, and dough forms. 

Spray a pie pan with anti-stick spray. Add filling to pan, spreading evenly. Take about 1/3 cup of dough mixture, and press into flat circle. Place ontop of filling mixture, repeating process until top is completely covered. 

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until dough is golden brown, and filling is heated all the way through. Enjoy!

Pupusas

When David and I first moved to the city we found a Salvadorian restaurant. It was the first restaurant we ate at after we moved, and it was kind of our special place. I can't remember the name of it anymore, but I remember where it is!

When we lived in our old neighborhood we frequented that restaurant. Every time we went in we noticed that almost everyone was eating what looked like a stuffed corn cake. One day we asked the server about them, and she told us that they are pupusas. They are a corn cake, traditionally stuffed with pork, cheese, or beans, and she described that as El Salvador's equivalent of a cheeseburger.

We decided to order them, and I am so glad we did. They were incredible. They were soft, warm, and so savory.

I was so happy when I learned that they are pretty easy to make at home. They were so good that David and I had them three times in two day!

2 cups Masa (a type of corn flour)
2 1/3 cups water
1/4 cup oil for frying

For filling:
you can stuff these with whatever ingredients you chose. I chose spicy refried beans, and cheese. You can do chicken, cheese, beef, beef, pork, etc. This recipe makes about 8 pupusas, and you need about one cup of filling. It helps to mix the filling before stuffing, otherwise it can get messier than it it already is!

Combine Masa and water, kneading until dough forms. Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Take about 1/4 cup amounts of dough and form a ball. Use them to press a dent in dough ball to form a cup like shape. Fill with filling mixture, and close dough around the top to seal, and press flat.

Put into frying pan, and fry, flipping occasionally, until pupusa is golden brown. Remove from heat.

I topped mine with sour cream, salsa and queso fresco, but you can choose your own toppings. Enjoy!