Gordas Petroleras Recipe Homemade Gorditas With Pork

CORN MASA POCKETS WITH CLASSIC SHREDDED BEEF: GORDITAS CON CARNE DESHEBRADA

Steps:

• The Shredded beef filling: In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the meat with 2 quarts salted water, about 1/3 of the onions, and half of the garlic and simmer until the meat is very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Strain, reserving the broth for another use. When the meat is cool enough to handle, shred it into coarse strands with your fingers or 2 forks ? don't worry that there are bits of onion and garlic mixed with the meat.
• Wash and dry the saucepan, set it over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the oil is hot, add half of the remaining onions and cook until golden, about 6 minutes, then stir in the remaining garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes and chiles and cook until most of the juice has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Stir in the shredded meat and simmer for a few more minutes, then taste and season with about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Forming, filling, and griddle-baking the gorditas: Heat a well-seasoned or nonstick griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat. Knead the masa (fresh or reconstituted) to make it pliable, adding a little water if necessary to achieve a soft-cookie-dough consistency. Knead in the flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Divide the dough into 10 portions and roll into balls; cover with plastic to keep from drying out. Line a tortilla press with 2 pieces of plastic cut to fit the plates (to be on the safe side, cut them from a food storage bag; the thicker plastic usually works better for beginners). Gently press out a ball of dough between the sheets of plastic to about 4 inches in diameter (it'll be about 1/4 inch thick). You've now made a gordita, which is what you call a fat tortilla. Peel off the top sheet of plastic, flip the gordita, uncovered side down, onto the fingers of 1 hand, and gently peel off the second piece of plastic. In one flowing movement, roll the gordita off your hand and onto the heated griddle or skillet. Bake for about 1 1/2 minutes, then flip and bake for another 1 1/2 minutes on the other side. The gordita will be lightly browned and crusty on the top and bottom, but still a little uncooked on the sides. Remove to a plate. Continue pressing and griddle-baking the remaining gorditas in the same manner.
• Finishing the gorditas: When you're ready to serve, warm the shredded beef. Rinse the remaining onions in a small strainer under cold water and shake to remove the excess moisture. Have the cheese and cilantro at the ready.
• In a deep heavy medium skillet or saucepan, heat 1/2-inch of oil over medium to medium-high until the oil is hot enough to make the edge of a gordita sizzle sharply, about 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. One by one, fry the gorditas, turning them after they've been in the oil for about 15 seconds, until they're nicely crisp but not hard, about 45 seconds total. When they're ready, most will have puffed up a little, like pita bread. Drain on paper towels.
• Once they all are fried, use a small knife to cut a slit in the thin edge of each one about halfway around its circumference, opening a pocket. As you cut them, fill each gordita with about 1/4-cup shredded meat and a sprinkling of the onions, grated cheese, and cilantro.
• Line up the filled gorditas on a serving platter and pass them around (with plenty of napkins) for your guest to enjoy.

GORDAS PETROLERAS RECIPE (HOMEMADE GORDITAS WITH PORK)

Steps:

• To make the chicharrón prensado, toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, for about 2 minutes; they should be richly aromatic but not burned. Put in a blender with the garlic, onion, and 2 cups water, and blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes.
• In a large pot combine the carnitas with pork skin and the salsa over low heat. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the salsa is reduced enough to thickly coat the meat. You shouldn't need to add any salt here, as the carnitas should be well seasoned.
• Place all the ingredients in a blender and purée until smooth (some people prefer a coarse purée). Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, using a spoon to mash the avocados into the other ingredients. It's up to you how much to mash-I like mine pretty lumpy!
• To make the gordas, knead the masa with the lard or oil until it's fully incorporated (it's impossible to overwork masa since there's no gluten, and in fact it only improves in quality the more you work it). Separate the masa into 8 equal portions and roll into balls. Place a ball between two sheets of plastic (cut from a plastic bag) and flatten to create a ½-inch-thick tortilla shape with a tortilla press or with this cookbook. Repeat for all the balls.
• Heat a griddle or large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add as many gordas as will comfortably fit in the skillet. Cook for about 20 minutes, flipping every 3 minutes or so. They should get golden brown on the outside, with some charred specks; reduce the heat if they brown too quickly. They're done when the inside is soft and fluffy, and the outside crisp and crunchy. (Gordas are best straight from the griddle, but can be kept in a 250ºF oven until ready to serve, if necessary.)
• Slice open the gordas three-fourths of the way around, then fill each pocket with about 2 tablespoons of the chicharrón prensado, then queso, onion, cilantro, salsa, guacamole, and lime to taste.

GORDITAS

Steps:

• Divide the masa into 6 balls. Press each one between 2 sheets of plastic wrap to form 6inch rounds about 1/8inch thick. Heat a dry non-stick pan or well-seasoned griddle pan over medium heat. Toast the gorditas, turning frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until speckled and golden on the outside and puffy. Set aside for up to 6 hours before finishing the dish.
• In a large, heavy saucepan or deep fat fryer, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350 degrees. Deep fry the gorditas, in batches, until golden brown. When cool enough to handle, split open like pita bread and fill the pockets with either Carne Asada or Grilled Fish and White Bean fillings.

GORDITA'S

Steps:

• Mix the masa harina with the water, mix well and set aside.
• In a large saucepan combine the tomato, chiles and broth.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
• You want the mixture on the thick side.
• Add the shredded meat and heat for another 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• When warm to the touch stir in the cheese and season with salt if needed.
• Take the prepared masa harina and knead in the lard, salt, flour and baking powder.
• You may need to add a little more water.
• Divide into 12 pieces, roll into balls and place on a plate, cover with plastic and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Place a heavy skillet, cast iron if you have it, over medium heat.
• Place a heavy freezer bag on the counter and place a masa round in the center.
• Gently roll out or pat into a 4 inch round.
• Pick up plastic, peel gordita away from it and place on the hot skillet.
• Cook for 1 minute and flip over, cooking for one minute-repeat.
• You will want the gordita golden brown on both sides.
• Remove to a wire rack to cool and repeat until all gorditas are cooked.
• At this point you can cool completely and keep in the fridge or: heat 3/4 of an inch oil in a heavy skillet.
• When hot add one gordita at a time, cooking for about 2 minutes total.
• Your going to flip them a few times and they will get puffy-you want that.
• Remove and drain on paper towels, repeat until all are done.
• Split cooked gorditas--but not all the way through, and fill with the meat and cheese filling.
• Top with lettuce and various salsas.

GORDITAS

Steps:

• Fry beef and onion together.
• Season with salt, pepper, garlic salt and chile powder.
• While meat is cooking, mix with hands all ingredients for shells.
• Pinch off small portion of dough and roll into 2-inch ball.
• With quick patting motion, flatten out to 1/2 inch thickness and about 3 inches in diameter.
• Fry in hot grease until golden brown, turning once. Drain.
• Make a slit through the middle; open slightly like a taco shell and stuff with meat mixture, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese.

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.

GORDITAS MEXICANAS

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Add chicken, chicken bouillon, onion, and garlic. Cover and simmer until chicken is no longer pink the middle, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat a pancake grill to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Mix corn flour, 1 1/4 cups water, and salt together in a bowl until a smooth, moist dough is formed. Add more water if the dough seems too dry. Divide dough into 8 to 10 medium-sized balls and pat each into a 1/4-inch thick round.
• Cook dough rounds on the preheated grill until cooked on the outside, about 3 minutes per side. Pull the edges out while still hot, making a little indention in the center of each gordita.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Deep fry gorditas until golden brown on both sides, 2 to 5 minutes per gordita. Set aside on a wire cooling rack.
• Pour beans into a small saucepan and warm over medium heat.
• Drain chicken, reserving cooking liquid. Remove meat from the bones and transfer meat to a food processor. Add a few tablespoons of cooking liquid and chop to desired consistency.
• Spread a layer of warm beans on each gordita, then top with chopped chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and cotija cheese. Finish with a dollop of sour cream.