Use It Up, Wear It Out: Masa Harina (Day 3)

Masa harina, to all you gringas, is corn flour (not to be confused with corn meal), as well as the next thing I needed to use up in the pantry. Last year, I went on a quest to make my own homemade tortillas. How domestic, right? Unfortunately, I found out about two cups into the masa bag that corn flour dough is extremely crumbly, and that corn tortillas are all but impossible to make without a tortilla press. Que triste.

Isn't that the cutest little corn man?

I also threw in a can of refried beans that had been a member of this household a little too long. What could I make that would use up a generous portion of masa without using too many exotic ingredients?

I found Pupusas.

Although they sounded more like something out of a biology textbook than a meal, I was willing to give them a try.


First, you take a ball of dough and flatten it into a circle. Spoon the filling (in this case, beans and cheese) in the middle, and work the edges up and over the top.

That stuff is IMPOSSIBLE to keep together. I suddenly remembered why I hate working with corn flour.


Fry it in oil for several minutes...






And enjoy with the toppings of your choice!

The verdict: I love that this uses up so much masa. Unfortunately, it didn't use up too much of the beans, because each pupusa required a mere tablespoon or so. I found the pupusas to be a bit bland, but I think that has a lot to do with me forgetting to add salt to the dough and cutting the cumin in half (one whole Tablespoon kind of scared me). It was pretty good with salsa, and even better with sour cream! And I bet it would be delicious with a spicy meat filling. I am definitely NOT a fan of fried foods, so that was a major drawback for me. The South hasn't won me over yet! ;-)


My overall reaction: Meh. But it uses up the masa well enough.

Adam's overall reaction: Delicious! Can I have some more?



Thus ends day 3 of the Use It Up, Wear It Out Challenge!