Cheesy Panamanian Tortillas Recipes

PANAMANIAN TORTILLAS (THICK CORN CAKES)

Steps:

• Mix the water, mix, salt, rice flour, and sugar (optional) with a spoon.
• Knead with wet hands in bowl (wet hands keep it from sticking, so if it starts to stick just get your hands wet again).
• It will form into a mixture called "masa".
• Get bunches of the masa and form them into circles. Make sure the edges are pinched (no creases or cracks), and that the thickness is consistent (about 1 or 2 cm thick).
• To bake, put some of the butter in the pan and spread evenly. Heat the butter on med high.
• When butter is heated, place masa circles on the pan and let bake.
• Flip them every 2 or 3 min to evenly cook without burning.
• They will start to puff up and get golden.
• It should take about 10 min to cook thoroughly, but make sure not to overdo them--no one likes a burned tortilla!
• Repeat the steps until all the circles are baked through.

CHEESY PANAMANIAN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Slit open the tortilla.
• Use the knife or your fingers to open the rest of the inside of the tortilla to create a pocket--making sure not to cut the entire tortilla in two!
• Place the cheese in the pocket.
• Wrap the tortilla and cheese in a slightly damp paper towel or napkin, making sure to completely cover it.
• Place the bundle on a plate in the microwave and microwave on high for 30 seconds or until heated throughout.
• Unwrap the bundle and enjoy!

HOJALDRE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar.
• Make a well in the middle and add the oil and a little water.
• Knead, adding the rest of the water little by little.
• Let the dough sit overnight in the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to make the hojaldres, heat a pan with the oil for frying over medium-high heat.
• To form the hojaldres, take a golf ball size of dough and stretch it by hand until it is roughly 6 inches in diameter. Drop the stretched dough into the hot oil and fry until it is golden brown, turning once. The dough will puff up and parts of the hojaldre will be crispy and parts will be bready.
• ENJOY!