Masa Shells With Chicken And Potatoes Recipes

POTATO MASA CAKES WITH GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 200°. Prepare the Potato Masa Cakes, and keep warm in the oven while cooking the chicken. Rub the chicken with the 2 teaspoons of oil and season with about 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Heat a stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken breasts about 4 to 5 minutes per side or until browned with grill marks on the outside, firm to the touch, and no longer pink inside at the thickest part. 2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook the corn with the butter, stirring, until completely heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Reserve in the pan off heat. 3. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and slice thinly crosswise. Remove the potato cakes from the oven and put 1 cake in the center of each of 4 warm plates. Arrange the chicken strips equally on top of each potato cake and top each with some salsa and a dollop of sour cream. Spoon a portion of the corn around the cakes on each plate. Scatter chopped cilantro over all. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MASA SHELLS FOR SOPES

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the tortilla dough. Then, form the dough into 16 equal balls and cover with plastic wrap to keep soft. Heat a large skillet over high heat and brush with a few drops of oil. Using a tortilla press, put an 8-inch square of plastic on the bottom of the tortilla press. Place 1 of the dough balls on the center and top with another piece of plastic. Lower the handle and press lightly to form a patty about 3 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick. Pick up the sope with one hand and remove the top piece of plastic. Flip the dough onto the other hand. Remove the second piece of plastic and place the patty on the hot skillet. Cook about 1 minute. Turn and cook until light brown on the bottom. (The interior will still be soft.) 2. Remove sope from the heat, and while still hot, pinch up the pale top edge to make a small rim all around. Work fast--the sopes are hot! Put the sope on a plate, cover with plastic and repeat with the remaining sopes. Once you get the hang of it, you can press and bake the sopes quickly. Put the sopes in a sealed plastic bag and store refrigerated up to 1 day ahead. Before assembling, the sopes will be fried and filled. To complete and serve, see the recipes for Masa Shells with Chicken and Potatoes or Ground Beef Sopes (see Appetizers and Snacks). 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.

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 CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the masa shells. Then, cover and set aside. Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat in 1 cup of salted water until no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool the chicken in the liquid about 10 minutes. When cool, shred the meat and reserve in a bowl. 2. In a medium nonstick skillet, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil and cook the onion, stirring, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced potatoes and salt. Cook, stirring, until the potatoes start to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the chicken. Stir in the salsa. Set aside. 3. Wipe out the skillet with paper towels. Add fresh oil to a depth of about 1 inch and cook over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Fry the reserved masa shells, 3 to 4 at a time, turning once until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Put a portion of the chicken mixture on each sope. Sprinkle each with cheese and garnish with thinly sliced radish rounds. 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.