Gorditas are a popular traditional Mexican dish, prized for their versatility and rich flavours. These thick, handmade corn cakes are typically stuffed with a variety of savoury fillings, making them the perfect comfort food to enjoy at any meal.
Ingredients:
Papas con Chorizo stuffing:
- Kosher salt
- 1 large russet potato, peeled and cut into 1/4″ cubes
- 2 teaspoons lard or vegetable oil
- 6 oz. Mexican chorizo, seeded and trimmed
- 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped (optional)
Gorditas:
- 2 cups masa harina (such as Maseca)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/4 to 2 cups lukewarm water
- 1 tablespoon lard or vegetable oil, plus more if frying
Method of cooking:
Bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the diced potatoes and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large frying pan, heat the lard or vegetable oil over a medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
If using, add the finely chopped onion to the pan with the chorizo and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
Add the cooked potatoes to the frying pan and stir to combine, mashing slightly as you do so. Season to taste with kosher salt. Keep warm.
In a large bowl, combine the masa harina and kosher salt. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water and mix until a dough forms. Add more water, a little at a time, until the dough is soft but not sticky.
Knead in the lard or vegetable oil until incorporated.
Divide the dough into 8 equal parts and roll each into a ball. Flatten each ball into a disc about 1/2 inch thick.
Heat a griddle or large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the gorditas for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, for crispy gorditas, heat additional lard or vegetable oil in the pan and fry the gorditas until golden and crispy on both sides.
Allow the gorditas to cool slightly, then cut each one into a pocket. Fill each gordita with the Papas con Chorizo mixture.
Serve the gorditas warm with your favourite toppings such as salsa, crema, cheese and fresh vegetables.
