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Kitchen On the Road- Camino de Santiago- Pamplona; Pig and a Patatas Bravas Recipe

September 7, 2012 by Renee

Patatas Bravas

Patatas BravasWriting a post (or more than one, really) about the Camino has proved much more challenging than I thought when I wrote my post last week.  I anticipated writing every day. But that clearly has not happened. It’s been much more emotional and thought provoking than just trying to come up with the perfect recipe for a tortilla, patatas bravas or remembering what wine we drank each night. Firstly, I finally got around to putting up all of the photos on Flickr- yes, all 5,000+ of them onto two accounts (KitchenConundrum and Riseson) and then weeding them down to just a few hundred for the blog photos – and of course, going through them brought back so many wonderful memories. One of my dear friends had to leave the Camino due to an injury while we were walking, but right at this moment, he is back on the path and nearly to Santiago. We’ve been texting all week and I’ve been steering him towards some of the nicer albergues that we stayed in along the way. I have to say that I am a bit jealous that he is there now as I would love to be hiking it again right along side of him. To feel that exhilaration and the emotional pinnacle when you finally reach Santiago is probably one of the most triumphant feelings I have experienced outside of childbirth. Now, that’s saying a lot! But it’s true. And unfortunately, it’s one of those things that you just have to experience for yourself in order to truly understand.  I think it must be quite similar to how climbers feel reaching the top of Everest. (Although, that may be better, but in my opinion, certainly not as much fun!)

I arrived on the Pilgrim train from Paris in St. Jean Pied du Port on a frigid evening with my backpack and a very heavy carry-on bag, in the pouring rain-no map and not a clue where to go. Everyone else on the train clearly knew where they were off to and I was left completely alone at the train station with not a single soul in sight. There wasn’t even a pay phone or a sign for a taxi. (A very small town, indeed, for this city girl!)  And just as I went to retrieve my poncho/rain jacket from my bag, my lock froze, rendering it impossible to get inside my pack! I tried and tried to no avail but couldn’t get it unhinged.  So, this was the beginning and how it was going to be, I thought. Not a good way to start at all.

Despite getting lost a few times,  I made my way to L’Esprit du Chemin , the albergue, where, when I finally arrived looking like a drowned rat, they greeted me warmly saying they were worried that something had happened to me.  They took my bags and ushered me outside to the porch and to dinner where a huge bowl of hot soup and a towel awaited me. I am pretty sure that was the best bowl of soup I had ever eaten. They cut my lock and unleashed my not only my belongings but the start to my Camino as well.

Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain

The owners of the albergue, Arno and Huberta, really make everyone feel at home. They are amazing hosts and sadly, there were only a few other places along the Camino that had hosts as warm and as welcoming as them. They embody the true spirit of the Camino. One wonderful ritual, as most people begin the Camino Frances in St. Jean, was to leave a burden behind.  In a plastic bubble, you could leave a note, a small item or anything that you may think would weigh you down (mentally) as you made your spiritual/self-discovery  journey.  Then, you’d push it through a square wire hole in a sculpture they had in their garden. A simple gesture. But filled with so much meaning. I didn’t think I would cry but there I was, crying my eyes out pushing this clear plastic Easter egg into a wire hole before setting off. (I did feel a bit more cleansed after the act and really left my burden there!)

Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain

At dinner we went ‘round the table introducing ourselves and telling a little of why we were walking. There were many tears then too, along with quite a few laughs.  There are hosts of reasons why people walk the Camino. One wonderful person survived cancer, one was seeking more spiritualism, one was seeking clarity, and several were thinking of things to do now that they had retired or were in-between careers. And of course, there was me… my reasons for walking changed many times over.  But on that day, eating soup, followed by a birthday celebration and a wonderful meal, I started my journey in earnest.

The following morning, we went to the Pilgrims office to register our trip and pick up the “passports” we would need to present to collect our Compostela, a certificate you receive upon completion of your hike in Santiago. Technically, you only have to walk the last 100kms to receive a Compostela, but the most popular route starts in St. Jean – a mere 825ish kms away.  In the passport, we’d collect stamps from all the albergues, churches, bars and restaurants we stopped in. It was quite fun collecting them all and most people ended up with two full passports by the time the trip was done.

Pilgrim Passport

The first day took us straight uphill to L’auberge refuge d’Orisson.  It was an extremely hard day (it did get easier later on once we were in better shape) and it was snowing/raining/sleeting for most of the day.

IMG_7230

Awesome Pilgrims!

Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain

They say the Camino gives you what you need (not what you want). I’d have to say that it is true- it happened on more than one occasion along the entire Camino. It’s almost as if by some miracle, when you ask for something you need, you receive it.

A walking companion and I were literally dying on our way up the mountain (we were just a few kms away from our destination) and a man in a pick-up truck pulled alongside and asked if he could take our bags up to Orisson. Turns out he was the albergue’s owner, Jean-Jacques. We gladly tossed our bags into the truck and continued walking unhindered all the way there. What a relief that was! My bag, later known as “Lucifer” was crazy heavy and we were really struggling with the steep climb up the mountain on the first day out. I kept asking myself why’d I leave Paris and what the hell had I gotten myself into! But “The Camino” didn’t let me quit before I’d barely started. It gave me a much needed ride for the bag and the strength to carry on.

Well… it was full on blizzarding that night and the discussion turned to which way to go- over the Pyrenees through the snow or head back down the mountain and go around. Several in the group that was staying at Orisson decided to go over the top and through the cold. Me? Being underdressed, underprepared and just plain chicken cold wanted to take the route down and around. And boy, am I glad I did! While some of my new friends were trudging through the snow and cold, I and my other new friends were happily sitting at a café, in the sunshine, having rillettes and baguettes for lunch.  It was the best choice I could have made and I am so happy that I went that way!  By nightfall, both groups had arrived safe and sound on the other side of the mountain in Roncesvalles.

DSC01443They are really not having fun. Meanwhile…

Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain Oh look! It’s sunny and we are sitting having a nice time. And there’s beer. Yep!  This way is far better!

The first major city we arrived to was just 74kms into the trip, or four days. Pamplona, most famous for the running of the bulls, also has some of the best pintxos (tapas) in Northern Spain.

Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain

These petite nouvelle cuisine bites are well worth the two Euros you’ll spend. Make sure to try an ample variety. But keep in mind, the key to Tapas bars/Pintxos bars, is to bar ‘hop’. Try a little something at each bar along an entire Calle (road).  Each has its own specialty and its own atmosphere. Some bars are dark, rustic pubs, while others are bright, modern eateries. When you have had your fill, find the one place you like and stay for a while.

Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain
Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain

Another wonderful thing about Pamplona is that there are several places to get the highly sought after 5J Iberian Ham. What makes this “bellota” ham so special?  Well, it’s acorn fed, free range ham from 100% Iberian pigs. These pigs are very rare, native to the Iberian peninsula in South West Spain and only available in limited numbers. It is considered to be the very finest ham in the world.  And no doubt, 5J possesses a sweet, nutty flavor and just melts in your mouth.  It really lives up to it’s reputation.

Here in NYC, the front leg (called the paleta) is around $150 a pound, machine-sliced and around $180 a pound for hand-sliced ham at Despaña Foods in Soho and in Queens.

You can also order  5J online from tienda.com -whole, bone-in paleta (about 9.5 pounds) is $650 (on sale right now from $750). Or just in case you feel like you can splurge, the Boneless Jamón Ibérico de Bellota Ham (hind leg) is on sale for just $1,290(from $1,600!). Now, that’s 6-7 pounds of pure heavenly pig!  Unfortunately, the black hoof is removed here due to the USDA regulations, which to me makes it a tad bit more difficult to prove authenticity.  But if you are buying from reputable sources you shouldn’t have any problems. Check out how to identify an authentic 5J ham here.

So now you can understand why it’s good to try it in Spain, if and whenever and as often as you can!

Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain

Pamplona’s cuisine also stands apart for the quality of its vegetables-the white asparagus and the piquillo red peppers, often marinated in a tangy vinaigrette, are superb. Of course, tortillas and patatas fritas (French fries) are a standard daily favorite while on the Camino. Every day when we would stop lunch would consist of either  a tortilla or a platter of these crunchy fried potatoes.

Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain
Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain
Camino de Santiago and Foods of Northern Spain

But it was a real treat to have Patatas Bravas, crispy chunks of potatoes with creamy centers that had been coated in a spicy tomato sauce-sometimes served with a garlicky aioli.  Patatas Bravas are famous in Spain and can be found nearly everywhere.  And nearly everyone loves them once they have tried them. It’s the one dish where everyone at the table just dives right in with their forks.

So I began my search for the perfect recipe.

Born in the northern region of Asturias and raised outside of Barcelona, José Andrés is the chef credited with introducing the U.S. to traditional Spanish cooking and the concept of tapas. He trained in Michelin-starred restaurants including elBulli with world-renowned Master Chef and friend Ferran Adrià (who I had the pleasure of meeting once and receiving congratulations  from when KC came in as a runner up in a molecular-gastronomy contest.) So I knew that his patatas bravas would be incredible. My recipe is inspired by his creation.

One of the differences is that I oven fried my potatoes, which is less greasy, but equally crisp (and less messy). I tend not to stove top fry potatoes anymore because just doing it in the oven is so much easier and the results are just as good, if not better.

The sauce I made is based loosely on Andrés’ recipe. The creamy, garlic aioli completes the dish and complements the spicy tang of the tomatoes.  Serve with a cold beer and prepare to lick the plate clean!

Note: If you follow my tweets/facebook, you will find that I had some issues with the first aioli I tried to make for this. I rescued it and it came out great. The first batch was too thin- so I removed what I could from the food processor and set it aside. I added another egg yolk to the processor and gave it a whirl while slowly adding back in the reserved aioli. Then I added just a bit more olive oil -slowly drizzling into the food processor- watching the mixture come together and whizzed it to perfection.

Kitchen On the Road- Camino de Santiago- Pamplona; Pig and a Patatas Bravas Recipe
 
Print
Author: Renee
Recipe type: Patatas Bravas with Garlic Aioli Recipe
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
  • 5 Large Potatoes (peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes)
  • Olive Oil
  • dash Salt & Pepper
  • 1 Can Diced Tomatoes (14 oz can)
  • 1 Small Onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 Small Chili Pepper (Jalapeno/Serrano/Red Chili, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Spanish Sweet Paprika (Pimenton (smokey and sweet))
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 2 tablespoons Sherry Cooking Wine
  • 1 Egg Yolk
  • 2 cloves Garlic (Smashed)
  • 1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 cup Olive Oil
Method
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a roasting tray or cookie sheet with 2 tbs olive oil into the oven and leave to heat for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, peel the potatoes, rinse and cut into rough 1" chunks. Remove the tray from the oven and toss the potatoes in the hot oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for about 30 minutes or until a crisp golden color. Pierce with a fork to make sure they are cooked all the way through. Continue baking in five minute increments if not fully cooked.
  2. While the potatoes are in the oven, make the sauces. Add 2 tbs olive oil into a saute pan over medium heat. Sweat the onion for about five minutes until soft and clear. Add the chili pepper and cook for another three minutes. Add the can of tomatoes, sugar, salt and smoked paprika mixing well to combine. Bring to a boil, and then turn down the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat and add the Sherry cooking wine and the crushed red pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust any seasonings if necessary. (I added a touch more red pepper flakes for more heat.)
  3. To make the aioli, place the egg yolk into the small bowl of a food processor along with the smashed garlic and 1tbs Red wine vinegar. Add 1 tbs olive oil and whirl until incorporated, then drizzle in the rest of the cup of olive oil into the food processor with the motor running, until you have creamy mayonnaise-like sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  4. Warning: Consuming raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, shellfish and eggs may increase the risk of food borne related illness.
3.2.2885

 

 

 

Filed Under: Eat, Travel, Featured Posts, Appetizers, Sauces, Dressings and Condiments, Side Dishes, Spain, Vegetables Tagged With: Camino, José Andrés, Pamplona, Patatas Bravas, Pintxos, Potatoes, Recipe, Spain, aioli, cooking, tapas

Asparagus Tart and Crispy Fried Asparagus Recipes, Spring Has Sprung!

June 1, 2011 by Renee

AsparagusOne of my favorite vegetables is asparagus and even though you can find them all year round, its Spring and Summer when I purchase them every week for us to enjoy. I prefer the nice plump ones to the thin ones because I feel that the fatter ones have the most delicious flavor. There are so many great recipes for asparagus that I could post about them for a week, but here’s a few ways we like to enjoy them.

First off, there is grilling with just a bit of salt and a squeeze of lemon over top. Simple, easy and perfect for the outdoor dinner.

The most classic way to cook them is to peel them, lop off the extra thick ends and blanch them briefly in boiling salted water. You can serve them immediately or you can refrigerate them and eat them cold with a tangy vinaigrette to dunk the spears in to.

Then of course there is roasting them. Drizzled with a bit of olive oil and salt, roast them on a sheet pan covered with foil in an oven that’s been preheated to 425 degrees for about a half hour or until tender. Roasting the asparagus brings out the sweet essence of the vegetable and is so simple yet so incredibly delightful, you’ll end up eating all of them before they arrive at the table if you are not careful.

Two other ways to enjoy this very versatile vegetable is to encase them in cheese and puff pastry or to batter and fry them. We have enjoyed both ways!

 

Asparagus Tart

Ingredients

Flour, for work surface

1 sheet frozen puff pastry

1 pound asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed

1 egg yolk + 1 tbs water, beaten to blend

1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese

1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded

1 tsp. nutmeg

Salt and pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into a 16-by-10-inch rectangle. Trim uneven edges. Place pastry on a baking sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score pastry dough 1 inch in from the edges to mark a rectangle being careful to not cut all the way through the dough. Using a fork, pierce the dough inside the markings (called Docking) to prevent air bubbles from forming and puffing up the center too much. Bake until a pale golden, about 10 minutes. Remove pastry shell from oven, and set aside.

In the meantime, mix the ricotta cheese with the Gruyere, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.

Spread the cheese mixture over the center of the pastry and arrange the asparagus spears in a single layer over the top alternating the ends and the tips.

Brush the edges of the pastry with the egg wash and bake until spears are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

 

Crispy Fried Asparagus With Ancho Chili Mayo

 

Ancho Chili Mayo

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise *homemade is preferable, but you can use jarred too and not worry about the raw eggs

½ lemon, zested and juiced

1 tsp. Ancho chili powder

½ tsp. turmeric

½ tsp. cumin

½ tsp. hot sauce (Tabasco works nicely)

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tbs. extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

In a medium bowl combine all of the ingredients and mix until the spices are blended through.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you are making the asparagus to let the flavors meld together. Be sure to taste to see if it spicy or tangy enough for your tastes and adjust seasonings as necessary.

 

Crispy Fried Asparagus Spears

Adapted from Fine Cooking Magazine’s  April/May 2011 Asparagus Fries with Smoked Paprika Aioli.

Ingredients

1 lb. asparagus, rough ends trimmed

½ cup all purpose flour

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

2 egg whites

2 tbs. cold water

½ lemon, zested and juiced

1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs

¼ cup plain bread crumbs

3 cups vegetable oil

Method

Cut the asparagus to about 4-5 inches long. (You can save the stalks for another recipe!) If they are very thick you can split them lengthwise.

Create your breading station by laying out three large shallow dishes with rims.

In the first shallow dish, mix the flour, salt and pepper.

In a second shallow dish, combine the egg whites, water, and lemon juice.

In a third shallow dish, mix the Panko bread crumbs, plain bread crumbs, and the lemon zest.

Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over a medium flame. If you have a candy thermometer or deep fryer heat the oil to 375 degrees F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can tell if the oil is ready by dropping in a few of the Panko crumbs and if they bubble and rise to the top then the oil is ready.

Divide the asparagus into 4 smaller bunches, first toss them into the flour mixture, shake off the extra, and then dip them into the egg whites, and then into the Panko/ bread crumbs.

Carefully place the asparagus into the oil and fry for 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown.

Remove the asparagus from the oil with a slotted spoon or tongs, and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt.

Repeat the process for the remaining asparagus.

Serve with the Ancho Chili Mayo on the side.

 

Enjoy!

 

 



Filed Under: Eat, Featured Posts, Appetizers, Vegetables Tagged With: Ancho Chili, Asparagus, Blanched, Fried, Fried Asparagus, Gruyere, Panko, Recipe, Ricotta, Roasted, Roasted Asparagus, Tart

Delights from El Salvador- Pastelitos, Pupusas, Crutido & Salsa Recipes

March 28, 2011 by Renee

My friend Anna was here and we shared some empanadas that I had made a few days before. She had never had this kind before, as the recipe I used originated in Argentina and is vastly different from the kind of empanadas she described from her country, El Salvador. The empanadas of her home country are commonly sweet desserts made with plantains or other fruits. My empanadas are made with either poultry or ground meat and depending on how I am feeling, I will make them spicy or semi-sweet and they are always served with a tangy dipping sauce.

So we got to talking about the food from her homeland and what she likes to cook and eat in her home. And of course we discussed what her children like and don’t like since we both have girls the same age. (Mine are much pickier than hers. Not really a shock!) We talked about ingredients and the availability of authentic ingredients to which she happily replied, “In NY, we can find everything”. That is so true! In NYC you can find nearly anything from any country! If not, there is always the internet!

Instead of empanadas, Anna said, they make another variation of a meat pie, the pastelito. Using masa that has been tinted red with a lot of paprika or achiote powder, these savory meat pies are a staple in her home. Filled with chopped meat, diced potatoes, carrots and string beans, it is a whole meal in a handheld pastry shell that has been fried in oil. She graciously shared with me how she makes them, guiding me every step of the way.

Her hands move so fast and create perfect circles.

20110223-DSC_7793

It was incredible watching her shape the dough and fold them. The ones she made were perfect circles! She was also able to make at least three in the time it took me to make one. (Okay, she maybe made five, but who’s counting!) They were so good too. Not spicy but very flavorful.   These photos don’t really do them justice. The deep red dough was an amazing color!

I asked to her to come back and show me more. So, the following week, she returned and taught me how to make another staple from her household, Pupusas.  These are a thick, hand-made corn tortilla filled with a blend of cheese and refried beans (frijoles refritos) that are cooked over a high heat, but with very little fat.

Along with both of these recipes she made a type of cabbage slaw called Curtido,  that is topped with a very light tomato “salsa”, that you eat as a side with the pupusas. It’s a full meal! Salad/slaw and a healthy protein!  Can’t go wrong!

 

I can’t decide which week’s delights I prefer. I think I really love them both. But more importantly, I really enjoyed our time together and her teaching me how to make something new.

 

 

Curtido Recipe

Ingredients

  • ½ head of cabbage, shredded
  • 1 carrot, peeled and grated
  • 4 c. boiling water
  • ½ onion, diced
  • ¼ c. white vinegar
  • 1 Jalapeño or Serrano chile pepper, minced or 1 tbs. Red Chili Pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp. salt

Method

  1. Place the cabbage and carrots in a large heat-proof bowl. Pour the boiling water into the bowl to cover the cabbage and carrots and set aside for about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander, pressing out as much liquid as possible.
  2. Return the cabbage to the bowl and toss with the remaining of the ingredients. Let set at room temperature for at least one hour or more to absorb all the flavors of the vinegar and spices. Chill and serve with the salsa as an accompaniment to pupusas, pastelitos or simply as a side dish.

 Salsa Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 plum tomatoes
  • ½ onion, quartered
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ red pepper, diced
  • 1 tsp. Red Chili Pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp. salt

Method

  1. Place all ingredients into a blender and pulse until liquefied.
  2. Remove from the blender to a small pot and simmer, stirring occasionally over medium heat until just bubbling. Remove from heat.
  3. Serve over the Curtido.

Pastelitos Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 c. Masa
  • 2 c. water, approx.
  • ¼-1/2 c. paprika or achiote powder
  • 1lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 small potatoes, peeled and diced fine
  • ¼ lb. fresh string beans, diced
  • 1 large carrot, diced
  • 1tsp. Sazon Goya
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 1 tsp. beef consommé powder or ½ bouillon cube
  • ½ cup vegetable oil

Method

  1. Prepare the dough. In a large bowl, add the masa and gradually add the water, paprika or achiote until the dough is a nice red color (1/4-1/2 cup), add a generous dash of salt and pepper and continue kneading until the dough forms a ball that can be handled and will not crumble.  Add more water if necessary. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the filling. In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the ground beef, stirring until it is browned through. Remove from heat and drain some of the fat but not all of it (leave a few tablespoons in the pan).
  3. Return the meat to the pan and add the onion, green beans, potatoes, carrots. Continue to cook, covered until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the seasoning, the beef consommé or bouillon, Sazon Goya, cumin and salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and allow to cool while creating your dough discs.
  5. To create the discs, you can either do it by hand working the dough by patting it together and forming a round or you can flatten them out between two pieces of plastic wrap. Making sure your hands are really wet makes shaping the discs easier. But you would like to create discs that are about ¼” thick and have a diameter of about 4-5”. You should have enough dough to make about a dozen discs. Set aside until ready to use.
  6. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium high heat being very careful to not let it smoke.
  7. Take one disc of dough and spoon in about 2 large tablespoons of filling. Fold over and seal the edges by squeezing them together. Place in the hot oil laying the pastelito away from you so as not to splatter the oil towards you. Repeat filling discs and placing in the oil until you have filled the pan with them, but do not overcrowd. Leave a lot of space in between each pastry. Fry until they golden brown on one side, flip over and continue to fry until the dough is golden brown. Remove with a slotted spatula onto a plate that been lined with paper towels to drain.
  8. Continue filling, folding and frying until they are all complete. Cover the plate with tin foil to keep the pastelitos warm until you are ready to eat.
  9. Serve with Crudito and the salsa.

 Pupusa Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 c. Masa
  • 2 c. water, approx.
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 1 can or pouch refried red beans (approx. 14oz)
  • 1 cup soft cheese such as queso blanco, fresco or mozzarella
  • 1-2 tbs water
  • vegetable oil for your hands

Method

  1. Prepare the dough. In a large bowl, add the masa and gradually add the water, add a generous dash of salt and pepper and continue kneading until the dough forms a ball that can be handled and will not crumble.  Add more water if necessary. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the filling. In a medium bowl combine the cheese with 1-2 tbs of water and mash it together with your hands or a fork so the cheese is smooth.
  3. Add the beans to the cheese mixture and mix to combine well. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Coat your hands with vegetable oil and create the discs of dough by rolling a golf ball sized piece into the palm of your hand, cupping it as you turn it to create a well. Fill with a tablespoon of the bean and cheese mixture and close the top of the ball. Flatten out into a round patty making sure it is well coated in oil.
  5. In a large frying pan, that has been heated over medium high heat lay the patty directly on the bottom surface. The oil on the patty will act as your fat.
  6. Repeat filling discs and placing in the pan until you have filled the pan with them, but do not overcrowd. Leave a lot of space in between each pastry. Fry until they golden brown on one side, flip over and continue to fry until the dough is golden brown. Remove with a slotted spatula onto a plate that been lined with paper towels to drain.
  7. Continue filling, folding and frying until they are all complete. Cover the plate with tin foil to keep them warm until you are ready to eat.
  8. Serve with Crudito and the salsa.

Buen Provecho!

Filed Under: Eat, Featured Posts, Appetizers, Meats, Vegetables Tagged With: Crutido, El Salvador, Pastelitos, Pupusas, Recipe, Salsa

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