Stuffed Masa Pockets with Green Chiles and Cheese
- 12 ounces poblano chiles (about 4 medium)
- 1 14.5- to 16-ounce can whole tomatoes in juice, drained
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cups crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese (about 8 ounces)
- 2 cups freshly ground corn masa dough for tortillas (about 17 ounces), or make masa dough with 1 3/4 cups masa harina (corn tortilla mix; about 8 1/2 ounces) mixed with 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- Warm water
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Char poblano chiles directly over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides.
- Enclose in paper bag 10 minutes.
- Peel, seed, and slice chiles into 1/4-inch strips.
- Place tomatoes in processor; chop coarsely.
- Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add tomatoes and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add chiles; cook until mixture thickens, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat; mix in cheese.
- Season with salt.
- Combine fresh masa or masa harina mixture, flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl.
- Knead to blend well, adding warm water by tablespoonfuls as needed until dough is soft but not sticky.
- Divide dough into 10 equal portions; roll each into ball.
- Place balls on sheet of aluminum foil.
- Cover balls of dough with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
- Cut two 8-inch rounds from heavy-duty resealable plastic bag.
- Place 1 round on bottom half of tortilla press.
- Place 1 dough ball in center; top with second plastic round.
- Close tortilla press, gently flattening dough to 4-inch round about 1/4 inch thick.
- Peel off top plastic.
- Lift bottom plastic and peel dough round off.
- Place on sheet of waxed paper.
- Shape remaining 9 balls into 4-inch rounds.
- Line baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Heat heavy large griddle or skillet over medium heat.
- Place two 4-inch rounds at a time on griddle or skillet.
- Cook until just light brown, about 2 minutes per side.
- Transfer gorditas to prepared baking sheet.
- (Filling and gorditas can be made 2 hours ahead.
- Cover loosely; let stand at room temperature.)
- Pour enough oil into heavy large skillet to reach depth of 1/2 inch.
- Attach deep-fry thermometer.
- Heat oil over medium heat to 325F to 350F.
- Fry 2 or 3 gorditas at a time until crisp and slightly puffed, 30 seconds per side.
- Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Cut halfway around edge of each gordita to make opening.
- Gently squeeze sides to open shell.
- Spoon about 1/4 cup filling into each opening.
- Arrange gorditas on platter; serve warm.
chiles, tomatoes, vegetable oil, queso fresco, freshly ground corn masa, flour, baking powder, salt, water, vegetable oil
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/stuffed-masa-pockets-with-green-chiles-and-cheese-108027 (may not work)