Masa Potato And Cheese Snacks Oaxaca Style Recipes

POTATO MASA CAKES

Steps:

• 1. In a small saucepan, cook the potato in salted water to cover until very tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and mash potato with the butter while still hot. Cool until lukewarm. 2. In a mixing bowl, using clean hands, mix the masa harina, salt, and water together to make a soft dough. If too dry, add additional water 1 to 2 teaspoons at a time until the dough is moist and soft, but not sticky. Add the mashed potato and work it into the masa with your hands. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and form into balls. 3. Put 1 ball between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and gently press and pat lightly with your hands to make a 4-inch round cake about 1/3-inch thick. 4. Preheat the oven to 200°. In an 8-inch nonstick skillet, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Remove the plastic and fry the cake until golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Put on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while shaping and frying the remaining cakes. Serve hot. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MASA SHELLS WITH REFRIED BEANS AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the salsa. Reserve. Then, prepare the masa shells. Cover and set aside. Then, prepare the shredded chicken. Cover and set aside, or if made ahead, refrigerate until ready to use. Then, in a nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and cook the potato, stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute. Reserve in the pan off heat. 2. In another skillet, pour oil to a depth of about 1 inch and cook over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Fry the masa shells, 3 or 4 at a time, turning once until golden on both sides. Drain on paper towels. 3. Spread about 1 teaspoon of warm refried beans on each shell. Add about 1 teaspoon potato and 1 tablespoon of the shredded chicken. Top with 1 teaspoon of salsa and a dollop of sour cream. Add a thin slice of radish on top of the sour cream, if desired. Serve at once. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MASA POTATO AND CHEESE SNACKS, OAXACA STYLE

Steps:

• 1. In a medium saucepan, boil the potatoes in water to cover until very tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain well, and put in a wide shallow bowl. Coarsely and gently break up the potatoes with a fork. Cool the potatoes to room temperature, and allow the steam to dissipate. 2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix the masa harina with the water. With clean hands, work the dough together until smooth and soft but not sticky. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying. 3. Put the cotija cheese in a food processor bowl, and pulse until finely crumbled. Add the prepared masa dough and salt. Pulse to mix. Add the potato and pulse to combine with the dough. The dough should be soft but not sticky. (Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if too stiff.) 4. Remove the dough to a flat working surface, and divide the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Cover with plastic wrap. To form the molotes, press 1 ball of dough into a 3-inch circle and put 1 stick of the cheese across the center. Wrap the dough around to enclose the cheese. Seal the ends well, with no cheese peeking through, and gently shape the molote to resemble a torpedo. Lay the molote on a baking sheet and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Repeat with remaining dough. 5. In a medium skillet, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil until hot. Fry the molotes, 3 or 4 at a time, frequently turning them, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm in a 200° oven. Serve warm. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.