Panuchos Recipes

PANUCHOS

Steps:

• For the shredded turkey: Heat a large pot of water to just below a simmer and add the salt, pepper, oregano, cilantro and garlic. Poach the turkey legs in the barely simmering water for 2 hours. Remove the turkey and pat dry.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Grill the turkey legs until nicely charred. Pull or shred the turkey and set aside.
• For the pickled red onions: Put the red onions in a mixing bowl with the vinegar, salt and 1/2 cup water. Mix well and let rest for 1 hour.
• For the black bean puree: In a medium saute pan, heat the oil or lard. Add the yellow and serrano chiles and fry lightly. Add the diced onions and saute until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes.
• In a blender, puree the black beans with just enough water to allow the mixture to run in the blender. Transfer the black bean puree to the pan with the onions and chiles and cook over medium-low heat, 20 to 30 minutes. Add salt to taste.
• For the tortillas: Mix or knead the salt into the masa. Divide the masa into 15 balls. As you work, keep the masa balls in a bowl covered with plastic wrap to keep the dough from drying out. Add a bit of water if needed for a pliant masa.
• Heat a comal (smooth, flat griddle) or skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
• Line a tortilla press with a piece of plastic wrap. Put 1 ball of masa into the center of the press and cover with another piece of plastic wrap. Press down on the tortilla press until the tortilla is about 6 inches in diameter.
• Carefully peel the plastic wrap off the tortilla and place the tortilla on the hot comal. When it no longer sticks to the comal, flip to the other side. Press the tortilla with a clean, folded kitchen cloth so that it puffs up. Press around the edges to make sure it puffs up all around and leave a few seconds more on the comal before removing the tortilla.
• Along the side, carefully slit the top layer of the tortilla that puffed up--an opening of 1 inch will do--and lift up all the way inside, creating a pocket. The tortilla will still be very hot, so be careful. Do not create too wide an opening, separate completely or tear. To cool, place on paper towels or a clean dish towel. Repeat the process with the remaining masa balls.
• Take a cooled tortilla, carefully lift open the top and smear a teaspoonful of black bean puree inside the pocket. Press with your fingers to make sure the bean puree is spread evenly all around. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and black bean puree.
• Just before serving, heat the comal over medium-high heat and add some vegetable oil. To finish the panuchos, place each one on the hot comal and toast until golden on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove to paper towels. (This should be done just before you are ready to serve, as panuchos are best eaten freshly prepared.)
• To assemble: Top each panucho with a piece of lettuce, some shredded turkey, pickled red onions, a slice of tomato and a slice of avocado.

FRIED BLACK BEAN FILLED TORTILLAS (PANUCHOS)

Steps:

• Using a 5-inch round cookie cutter, cut a smaller tortilla out of each tortilla. Save the scraps for making chilaquiles, tortilla soup, etc. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Then add the beans to warm and soften, about 5 minutes, stirring continuously to avoid burning. Turn the heat off and reserve.
• In a large saute pan, heat the remaining 1/2 cup of vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. While the oil is heating, form the panuchos. Start by spreading 1 tablespoon of warmed beans on the surface of the tortilla. Stack the second tortilla over it pressing on the edges to seal. Remove the excess beans on the side of the panucho. Working in batches, fry the panuchos until golden in color, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.

SHREDDED PORK AND BEAN PANUCHOS WITH PICKLED HABANERO AND ONIONS (COCHINITA PIBIL)

Steps:

• For the pulled pork: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and slightly softened, about 2 more minutes. Add the achiote paste and mix well to incorporate. Add the orange and pineapple juices and bring to a boil. Once it boils, turn the heat off and carefully transfer to a blender. Cool. Process the mixture until smooth, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Sprinkle the pork butt heavily with salt and pepper on all sides. Arrange the orange skins on the bottom of a slow cooker, skin-side up (this adds more flavor to the pork and ensures the meat will not dry out). Place the pork butt on top of the oranges. Pour the achiote puree inside the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker and turn on to high heat. Let it cook until the pork is tender and ready to shred, about 5 hours.
• Turn the slow cooker off and remove the oranges from the pot and discard. Let the pork cool slightly before shredding. Using two forks or with clean hands, shred the pork. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker filled with sauce and keep warm until ready to serve.
• For the pickled habaneros: Mix the habanero chiles, lime juice, olive oil, oregano and salt into a small bowl. Mix well to incorporate. Let stand at least 20 minutes. They can be made 1 day ahead.
• For the pickled red onions: Mix together the red onions, lime juice, olive oil, regano and salt into a medium bowl. Mix well to incorporate. Let stand for 30 minutes. They can be made 1 day ahead.
• For the fried black bean filled tortillas (panuchos): Using a 5-inch round cookie cutter, cut a smaller tortilla out of each tortilla. Save the scraps for making chilaquiles, tortilla soup, etc. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Then add the beans to warm and soften, about 5 minutes, stirring continuously to avoid burning. Turn the heat off and reserve.
• In a large saute pan, heat the remaining 1/2 cup of vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. While the oil is heating, form the panuchos. Start by spreading 1 tablespoon of warmed beans on the surface of the tortilla. Stack the second tortilla over it pressing on the edges to seal. Remove the excess beans on the side of the panucho. Working in batches, fry the panuchos until golden in color, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• To serve: Top each panucho with about 1/3 cup of cochinita pibil. Top with the pickled red onions and habaneros, if desired. Take a bite, die and go to heaven.

PANUCHOS (YUCATAN STUFFED TORTILLAS)

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine first three ingredients and stir until smooth. The dough should be slightly sticky and form a ball when pressed together. To test, flatten a small piece of dough between your palms. If the edges crack, add water to the dough, a tablespoon at a time, until a test piece does not crack.
• Divide the masa into 12 pieces and form each into a ball. Press or roll each into a 4-inch circle. Heat a dry cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and cook the tortillas. When cool enough to handle, pick up each puffed tortilla and make a 1 1/2-inch slit about 1/4-inch from the edge to make a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through the tortilla. Puree the Refried Black Beans and stuff 2 teaspoons of the bean puree in each pocket. Flatten to seal and spread the beans evenly. Reserve the stuffed tortillas on a tray covered with a barely damp cloth.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Fry the stuffed tortillas in batches, adding more oil as necessary, until they are a little crisp around the edges but still pliable. Drain on paper towels. Then place on a tray and keep warm in a 200 degree oven.
• Heat the chicken in a small pan over low heat. Remove the tray of panuchos from the oven. Top each with a scant tablespoon of Roasted Tomato Salsa. Sprinkle on the chicken and Pickled Red Onions and top each with a small avocado slice. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• *Variation: In case your tortillas do not puff, here is an alternative plan; fry them as is in the oil, and then spread with a very fine layer of beans followed by the other ingredients. They will still taste delicious.