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Gorditas de Chile Colorado
Source: The Mexican Gourmet
Makes 16 Gorditas

Gorditas are "fat" little cakes made from masa that have been either baked or fried.  These little snacks are served with a variety of toppings including cheese (con queso) or in this recipe, chile colorado.

Gorditas / Sopes Press
These little cakes are traditionally formed by hand but there is a special tool to help the job go faster. The gorditas or sopes maker is a cast aluminum device that looks like a tortilla press except it has a about a 4" inset area that is about 1/4" high. Place a ball of masa in the center and press gently to get a perfectly round 1/4 thick masa cake!  Please note: while we don't recommend cast aluminum for tortilla presses it is perfectly adequate for pressing gorditas or sopes because there is not a lot of pressure required to form the masa cake.


sopes, gorditas press
sopes/gorditas press Gourmetsleuth.com

I N G R E D I E N T S
For Gorditas:
1 1/2 oz ancho chiles, toasted, with stems, seeds, and veins removed
8 oz prepared corn tortilla masa (dough for corn tortillas)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

For Sauce:
2 1/2 oz ancho chiles, toasted, with stems, seeds and veins removed
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup water
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

For Topping:
1 small onion, minced
1/2 cup queso panela (low fat white cheese), farmer cheese, or cacciotta, crumbled

I N S T R U C T I O N S
Gorditas:
Cook the chiles in boiling water to cover until very soft, approximately 5 minutes. Strain and grind the chiles in a molcajete or mortar to make a smooth paste.


Mix together the tortilla masa, flour, salt and chile paste until uniform in texture and color. Divide into 16 little balls and flatten to make thick tortillas about 3 inches in diameter.

Cook the tortillas on a comal or a cast-iron griddle over low heat, a few at a time, for approximately 2 minutes a side, or until flecked with dark patches.

As soon as possible after removing from the pan, place a tortilla with the telita, or second side that was toasted, facing up, and pinch up the edge to form a ridge about 1/4 inch deep. Cover with a cloth to keep warm.

The Sauce
:
Place chiles, onions, and water in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Add salt to taste and mix thoroughly.


Heat the oil in a small saucepan and fry the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Use hot.

To Serve
:
Reheat the gorditas on a hot comal or cast-iron griddle. Spread 1 tablespoon of sauce on the pinched side of each, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of onion, and some crumbled cheese.


Put the gorditas on a platter and serve immediately.

comal (cast iron grill)


Comal; a thin griddle used traditionally over an open fire to cook tortillas.  Use a heavy cast iron griddle or skillet as a good substitute.Buy Now

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Glossary


Masa - Dough made from dried corn that has been soaked in lime water, then ground.

Masa Harina - is an "instant" version of masa that you mix with water to make dough for tortillas or tamales. It is made from fresh masa that is dried then powdered. The flavor is not as good as fresh masa but this product is easy to find in most grocery stores.

Ancho Chile
An ancho is a dried "poblano" chile.  On a heat scale from 1 - 10 it is a 3.  This is very commonly used chile in Mexican cooking. 
Available at Gourmetsleuth.com

Dried Ancho Chile
Dried ancho chile

 

 

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Includes achiote, ancho chili powder, avocado leaves, canella powder, chipotle powder, epazote and Mexican oregano. 

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