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Authentic Salvadoran Pupusas with Homemade Curtido and Salsa Roja

Authentic Salvadoran pupusas - delicious corn masa cakes filled with cheese, beans or pork and served with traditional curtido slaw and salsa roja.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour 54 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 54 minutes
Servings: 15 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Salvadoran
Calories: 234

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups masa harina corn flour for tortillas
  • 3½ to 4 cups warm water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups grated quesillo cheese or substitute mozzarella mixed with queso fresco
  • 1 medium cabbage shredded (about 6 cups)
  • 2 medium carrots grated
  • 1 small onion thinly sliced
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 4 cups plain tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Method
 

  1. Prepare the curtido by combining shredded cabbage, grated carrots, and sliced onion in a large bowl.
  2. Bring water, vinegar, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt to a boil and pour over the cabbage mixture. Let cool and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  3. Make the salsa roja by combining tomato sauce, water, cilantro, green bell pepper, onion, crushed garlic, bouillon cube, and salt. Cook until vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes.
  4. Prepare pupusa dough by mixing masa harina, salt, and warm water until a soft, moist dough forms.
  5. Divide the dough into 15 balls and form each into a thick disk with a depression in the center.
  6. Fill each disk with cheese or other fillings, seal the edges, and flatten into a ¼-inch thick patty.
  7. Cook the pupusas on a hot griddle for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown spots appear.
  8. Serve immediately with curtido and salsa roja.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 10gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 676mgFiber: 8gSugar: 6g
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