Pupusas (Salvadoran Stuffed Corn Cakes)

El Salvador''s national dish — thick corn cakes stuffed with cheese and beans.

Ingredients

• 2 cups masa harina
• 1.5 cups warm water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Fillings: shredded mozzarella + refried beans (frijoles con queso), or chicharrón (pork), or loroco (flower bud)
• Curtido: shredded cabbage + carrots + onion + oregano + vinegar
• Tomato salsa

Method

1. Mix masa, water, salt into smooth dough (like Play-Doh).

2. Form a ball, make a well, add 1 tbsp filling. Seal and flatten into a 4" disc.

3. Cook on a dry griddle or skillet over medium heat 3-4 min per side until golden spots appear.

4. Serve with curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) and tomato salsa.

What You're Practicing

• The dough should be moist but not sticky — add water gradually.
• If the dough cracks when you flatten it, it''s too dry. Add more water.
• Curtido is the Salvadoran version of sauerkraut — fermented cabbage that cuts through the richness.