Chilorio Gorditas Recipes

CHILORIO

Steps:

• Put the pork, onion and 1 tablespoon salt in a large Dutch oven or stockpot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the meat is tender and falling apart when pierced with a fork, 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on your cut of meat. Transfer the meat to a bowl and reserve 2 cups of the cooking broth. Discard the remaining broth and onions, rinse the pot and return it to the stove.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the chiles and enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, pressing on the chiles to submerge them. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand until the chiles are fully softened and pulpy, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chiles to a blender; discard the soaking water. Add the tomato, vinegar, oregano, cumin, garlic and 2 cups reserved broth. Puree until completely smooth.
• Return the cooked pork to the reserved pot and pour the salsa over the meat. Mix until the meat is completely covered. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often to encourage the meat to fall apart into shreds, until the sauce thickens and the meat absorbs most of the sauce, about 20 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
• Serve the chilorio with flour tortillas or breakfast potatoes for a hearty brunch.

GORDITAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the masa harina, salt and hot water. Gradually mix in the shortening and flour. If the dough seems dry, add a little more hot water. Form the dough into balls that will fit into the palm of your hand.
• Line a work surface with waxed paper or plastic. Sprinkle with water. Flatten balls on the wet surface until about 1/4 inch thick.
• Heat a griddle or comal over medium heat. Cook the gorditas on each side until they are cooked through.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat until hot. Fry each gordita until puffed, pressing it down into the oil occasionally with a spatula. Drain briefly on paper towels, cut the tips off and stuff full of your favorite foods.

RAJAS CON QUESO GORDITA

Steps:

• Roast the poblanos and Anaheim chiles on a hot grill until charred. Let them sit in a sealed container for 10 minutes, then peel them and cut into strips.
• Heat the oil, then saute the onion with the jalapenos and serranos until soft, about 10 minutes.
• Blend the cream cheese with 3 cups water and add it to the pot of chiles. Add the roasted peppers, salt, pepper and cumin. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Fill Gorditas with finished product. Top with shredded cheese and serve with Refried Beans.
• For the gorditas: In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the flour, baking powder and salt; mix to combine. Add the shortening and mix for about 5 minutes. Slowly add the warm water and milk; mix until the dough is firm but soft and won't stick to your fingers. (You might not use all the liquid, or you might need to add more.) Let rest for 10 minutes.
• Portion the dough out into 2.2-ounce balls and refrigerate overnight.
• Press the dough balls into tortillas by hand. Toast the tortillas on a griddle over medium-high heat. Slice open the tortillas.
• In a pot over medium heat place pinto beans, salt and 6 cups cold water, and let simmer until softened, about an hour.
• In a pan, heat canola oil, then add 3 cups pinto beans (save the remainder for another use) and stir for about 5 minutes. Add warm water and let simmer, about 10 minutes. Use a hand blender to blend until pureed.

GORDITAS DE PILONCILLO (SWEET FRIED MASA CAKES)

Steps:

• Combine the piloncillo, cheese, and canela in a bowl and knead in the masa until uniformly distributed. Add a bit of water if it feels too dry or a little masa harina if it's too sticky. Shape the dough into 12 even balls.
• Place enough lard in a heavy pot to reach a depth of least 3 inches and heat to about 365°F. (You can check the temperature by dipping a wooden spoon in the fat; once it steadily bubbles, it's ready.) While this heats, flatten the masa rounds between your hands (you can dampen your hands very lightly so they don't stick or press down on top with a piece of plastic wrap) to about ⅛ inch thick. Slide them into the hot fat and bathe them with a spoon so they are covered with fat at all times, and turn often, frying until they are golden on all sides and make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Drain on paper bags or towels and enjoy warm. (You can keep them in a warming oven for 15 minutes.)

GRANDMA'S GORDITAS

Steps:

• Combine corn masa flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Add a little water at a time until a firm dough forms. Divide dough into equal pieces and roll between your hands to form small balls. Press dough into 1/4-inch circles.
• Heat a griddle or comal over medium heat. Add dough circles to the hot griddle and cook until light brown, slightly inflated, and cooked on the outsides, about 3 minutes per side.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry gorditas in batches, if necessary, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

CHILORIO BURRITAS

Steps:

• Place rinsed meat chunks in a heavy pot. Barely cover with the orange juice and water, add a teaspoon of salt and set over high heat. Once it comes to a boil, bring the heat down to medium and let is simmer for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until most of the liquid has cooked off and the meat is thoroughly cooked, and has rendered most of its fat. You could also do this in the crockpot on high for 4-6 hours.
• Meanwhile, remove the stems from the chiles, make a slit down their sides and remove their seeds and veins. Place them in a bowl, cover them with boiling hot water, and let them sit and rehydrate for about 15 minutes. Place the chiles and 1 1/2 cups of their soaking liquid in the blender along with the onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, cumin, black pepper, vinegar, and puree until smooth.
• Once the meat is ready, place it in a bowl along with any remaining cooking broth. Once it is cool enough to handle, shred it with your hands or using two forks.
• In the same pot, heat oil over medium heat. Pour in the chile sauce and let it season and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Toss in the shredded meat along with any of its remaining cooking broth. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and let it cook, stirring often, until the meat has absorbed most of the chile sauce, which will have thickened, seasoned and changed color to a much darker tone. It will take about 20 minutes. Taste for salt and add more if need be.
• Serve with warmed flour tortillas on the side. If you wish, spoon chilorio on tortillas and roll them into burritas or burras. They are wonderful with refried beans and avocado or guacamole on the side as well.

CHILORIO GORDITAS

Steps:

• Filling (chilorio): cook pork with water and salt, 1 1/2 hours or until tender.
• Cool and shred.
• In blender or food processor make salsa with chiles, oregano, cumin, parsley and garlic.
• Add to meat and bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens.
• Gorditas: Prepare masa as indicated on package; mix with pinch of salt.
• Form masa into gorditas (1/2" thick tortillas).
• Cook in comal or skillet until lightly golden.
• Slice each gordita into halves without separating them.
• Spread with beans and fill with chilorio and diced onion.
• Serve warm and enjoy!