[net.cooks] Papusa recipe?

thom@hpfcrx.UUCP (thom) (02/22/85)

Does anyone out there have a recipe for Papusas.  What are Papusas,
you say (you obviously don't have the recipe then).  They are a South
American (not sure which country) appetizer consisting of a couple of
fried crepe/tortillas with cheese (and/or refried beans, pork or chicken)
fried in them.  When they are served you also get some type of marinated
cabbage that you are to stuff into the Papusa.  I think I can recreate
everything but the cabbage mixture.  This things are fantastic.  They 
are particularly good after you have downed a bunch of salsa and chips
(and maybe even a little beer) and your taste buds are just about gone.
The marinated cabbage in the Papusa tends to revitalize your tongue for 
the rest of the meal.

Much thanks for any help.
Tom Morrissey
hplabs!hpfcla!thom

bub@ames.UUCP (Bubbette McLeod) (02/26/85)

> Does anyone out there have a recipe for Papusas.  What are Papusas,
> you say (you obviously don't have the recipe then).  They are a South
> American (not sure which country) appetizer consisting of a couple of
> fried crepe/tortillas with cheese (and/or refried beans, pork or chicken)
> fried in them.  When they are served you also get some type of marinated
> cabbage that you are to stuff into the Papusa. 

Judging from the address at hplabs, I'd guess you had your pupusas at the
same place I did, El Calderon, a Salvadorian restaurant in Mountain View.
I recommend the restaurant to any one in the S.F. bay area. The prices
are quite reasonable and it's an interesting branch of Mexican-type cooking.

Anyway, you're in luck, I happen to have the recipe from that restaurant which
I clipped from the newspaper.

Pupusas

3 cups masa harina (Quaker makes some)
1 cup cold water

Make into a moist dough, then pull off balls of about 2 tbls and
use hand or the bottom of a plate to form into tortillas about 5 1/2 inches
in diameter. Put on waxed paper (Should have 12)

1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, grated
refried beans
pork paste (see recipe)

Cover one tortilla with cheese and any combination of beans, pork,
and bell pepper, chopped (i.e., pork and cheese or cheese and bean or all
three). Put  second tortilla over all and press to make a seal around
edge. Rub an electric skillet (350 degrees) or heavy frying pan with 
small amount of vegetable oil. When water dripped on skillet sizzles,
it's ready. Cook pupusas about 3 minutes on each side, until crip and
browned. Serve hot with cabbage salad (curtido).

Pork Paste

1 lb. bacon, cooked until crisp, fat drained
1/4 tomato
1/4 bell pepper
1/4 onion
1 clove garlic

Put in blender until it turns to paste. Use a filling along with
cheese and/or refried beans for pupusas.

Cabbage Salad (Curtido)

1/4 cabbage, shredded
1/2 onion, shredded
1/2 large carrot, shredded
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup cold water
salt to taste

Mix the day before you want to serve and let set in refrigerator,
covered. Drain off excess water before serving. Open hot pupusas and
put cabbage salad inside before eating. (In Salvador, they sometimes
add hot red chilies to the mixture.)