Bean and Cheese Pupusas

Pupusas are a very popular food in El Salvador. Sometimes they are stuffed with meat. But every Friday during Lent, or the six weeks leading up to Easter, Salvadorans do not eat meat. And the poorest families in El Salvador usually can’t afford meat anyway. Try these yummy meat-free treats to get a taste of Easter in El Salvador!

Bean and Cheese Pupusas

Yields12 Servings

Adult help needed.

3 cups masa flour (such as Maseca instant corn flour)

2 ⅔ cups warm water

3 tsp salt

¼ cup cooking oil, plus more for frying

½ small onion, chopped

1 (15-oz.) can refried beans

2 cups mozzarella cheese

½ green bell pepper, diced

Make the dough: Place the masa flour in a mixing bowl. Add the warm water and salt. Mix for about 1 minute to form a thick, sticky dough. Pro tip: Use a stand mixer. Then cover the bowl of dough with a damp towel and set it aside.

Make the bean filling: Heat ¼ c. oil in a large soup pan over medium heat. Add the onion and fry until golden brown. Mix in the beans and turn heat to low.

Make the cheese filling: Place the cheese and bell pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until everything is finely chopped. Then add the cheese mixture to the beans. Stir until smooth, adding a little water if it gets too thick. Remove from heat and set aside.

Make the masa tortillas: Form the dough into egg-size balls. Press your thumb into the center of each dough ball to make a pocket for your fillings. Pro tip: Put a little oil on your hands!

Fill the pupusas: Place about 2 tbsp. of the bean-and-cheese filling in each dough pocket. Pull the dough around the filling and pinch the edges closed. Flatten the pupusa into a disk shape by gently flipping it back and forth between your hands.

Cook the pupusas: Using either a griddle or a skillet coated with oil, cook the pupusas over medium high heat until they’re puffy with golden brown spots. Time to enjoy — yum!

Ingredients

3 cups masa flour (such as Maseca instant corn flour)

2 ⅔ cups warm water

3 tsp salt

¼ cup cooking oil, plus more for frying

½ small onion, chopped

1 (15-oz.) can refried beans

2 cups mozzarella cheese

½ green bell pepper, diced

Directions

Make the bean filling: Heat ¼ c. oil in a large soup pan over medium heat. Add the onion and fry until golden brown. Mix in the beans and turn heat to low.

Make the masa tortillas: Form the dough into egg-size balls. Press your thumb into the center of each dough ball to make a pocket for your fillings. Pro tip: Put a little oil on your hands!

Cook the pupusas: Using either a griddle or a skillet coated with oil, cook the pupusas over medium high heat until they’re puffy with golden brown spots. Time to enjoy — yum!

Bean and Cheese Pupusas

Ingredients Directions