Recipe: Bean and Cheese Pupusas

I took a trip to Portland last month and ate some really great food at fancy restaurants, but my favorite meal of that weekend came from a stand at a Saturday market. For about $4.00, I got something called a pupusa filled with pork and beans and topped with guacamole and salsa. I attempted to recreate this wonderful (and cheap!) meal at home for an easy weeknight dinner.

Bean and cheese pupusas

1/2 cup masa flour (available in the Mexican food aisle)

1/3 cup water

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup refried black beans

Handful shredded cheddar cheese

Salsa and sour cream for topping

Preheat a skillet and oil over medium-high heat. Combine the masa flour and water in a small bowl until it forms a soft dough (you may need to add more water). Roll the dough into a ball, then make an indent with your thumb into the dough to begin forming a bowl shape in your hand. Spoon the beans and cheese into the bowl of dough and wrap the dough so it covers the filling. Flatten the ball slightly and carefully lay it down in the hot oil. Fry the pupusa until it is crispy and slightly golden (about 2 minutes) then flip and repeat on the other side.