Crispy Masa Boats With Pork Picadillo

Serves: 2

Irwin Berge

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

51

Spice

46

Sweetness

47

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.4

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Raisin

2 tbsps

Lard

3 tsp

Salt

Directions:

1

For picadillo: Place pork in heavy medium saucepan

2

Add pinch of salt and enough cold water to cover by 1/2 inch

3

Bring to simmer over medium heat

4

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently, uncovered, until meat is tender, about 1 hour 10 minutes

5

Cool meat in broth

6

Using slotted spoon, transfer meat to work surface; discard broth

7

Place tomatoes with juices and chiles into blender and puree

8

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat

9

Add onion and sauté 3 minutes

10

Add garlic and sauté 1 minute

11

Add pork and sauté until browned, about 10 minutes

12

Mix in raisins, vinegar, pepper, and cinnamon, then tomato puree

13

Simmer until picadillo is thick, stirring often, about 6 minutes

14

Season to taste with salt

15

(Can be made 1 day ahead

16

Cover and chill

17

Rewarm over low heat before using

18

) Place pork in heavy medium saucepan

19

Add pinch of salt and enough cold water to cover by 1/2 inch

20

Bring to simmer over medium heat

21

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently, uncovered, until meat is tender, about 1 hour 10 minutes

22

Cool meat in broth

23

Using slotted spoon, transfer meat to work surface; discard broth

24

Shred meat coarsely into large bowl

25

Place tomatoes with juices and chiles into blender and puree

26

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat

27

Add onion and sauté 3 minutes

28

Add garlic and sauté 1 minute

29

Add pork and sauté until browned, about 10 minutes

30

Mix in raisins, vinegar, pepper, and cinnamon, then tomato puree

31

Simmer until picadillo is thick, stirring often, about 6 minutes

32

Season to taste with salt

33

(Can be made 1 day ahead

34

Cover and chill

35

Rewarm over low heat before using

36

) For dough shells: Combine fresh masa or masa harina mixture, lard, flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl

37

Knead well, adding more warm water by tablespoonfuls as needed until dough is soft, smooth, and pliable but not sticky

38

Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; shape into balls

39

Place on sheet of foil

40

Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying

41

Flatten balls with moistened fingertips to 2 1/2x3/4-inch disks

42

Heat heavy large griddle or skillet over medium-high heat

43

Place 3 disks on griddle

44

Cook until outsides are light brown but insides are still soft and uncooked, about 3 minutes per side

45

Transfer disks to baking sheet

46

Repeat with remaining disks

47

Using greased knife, cut each disk horizontally in half; turn so uncooked sides are up

48

Using fingertips, flatten uncooked center of each and pinch edge of soft dough between fingertips to form 1/4- to 3/8-inch-high rim

49

Pour enough oil into large skillet to reach depth of 1/2 inch

50

Attach deep-fry thermometer and heat oil to 350°F to 360°F

51

Fry 4 dough shells at a time until lightly browned and crunchy outside but still tender inside, about 1 minute

52

Using slotted spoon, transfer shells to paper towels to drain

53

Spoon warm filling into each shell

54

Sprinkle with almonds and serve

55

Combine fresh masa or masa harina mixture, lard, flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl

56

Knead well, adding more warm water by tablespoonfuls as needed until dough is soft, smooth, and pliable but not sticky

57

Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; shape into balls

58

Place on sheet of foil

59

Cover with plastic wrap to prevent drying

60

Flatten balls with moistened fingertips to 2 1/2x3/4-inch disks

61

Heat heavy large griddle or skillet over medium-high heat

62

Place 3 disks on griddle

63

Cook until outsides are light brown but insides are still soft and uncooked, about 3 minutes per side

64

Transfer disks to baking sheet

65

Repeat with remaining disks

66

Using greased knife, cut each disk horizontally in half; turn so uncooked sides are up

67

Using fingertips, flatten uncooked center of each and pinch edge of soft dough between fingertips to form 1/4- to 3/8-inch-high rim

68

Pour enough oil into large skillet to reach depth of 1/2 inch

69

Attach deep-fry thermometer and heat oil to 350°F to 360°F

70

Fry 4 dough shells at a time until lightly browned and crunchy outside but still tender inside, about 1 minute

71

Using slotted spoon, transfer shells to paper towels to drain

72

Spoon warm filling into each shell

73

Sprinkle with almonds and serve

74

Shred meat coarsely into large bowl