How To Make Sopes (Savory Mexican Corn Cakes) With Masa

How to Make Sopes (Savory Mexican Corn Cakes) With Masa

Are you ready to add a delicious Mexican dish to your culinary repertoire? Look no further than sopes! These savory corn cakes, made with masa, are a popular street food in Mexico and can be enjoyed as a snack or a meal. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps of making sopes from scratch.

What is Masa?

Masa is a traditional Mexican dough made from corn that has been soaked in an alkaline solution, called nixtamalization. This process gives the corn a soft texture and enhances its nutritional value. Masa is commonly used to make various Mexican staples such as tortillas, tamales, and of course, sopes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups masa harina (corn flour)
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, salt, and warm water.
2. Knead the mixture until a smooth dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, add a little more water; if it feels too sticky, sprinkle in some extra masa harina.
3. Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a ball.
4. Using your hands or a tortilla press lined with plastic wrap, flatten each ball of dough into a thick tortilla-like shape.
5. In a hot skillet or griddle, heat the vegetable oil.
6. Cook the flattened dough rounds, known as sopes, in the heated oil for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown color.
7. Remove the sopes from the skillet and drain any excess oil on a paper towel.

Serving Suggestion:

Sopes are versatile and can be topped with a variety of delicious ingredients. Here’s an idea for a classic topping:

• Refried beans
• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced avocado
• Crumbled queso fresco
• Salsa or hot sauce

To assemble, simply spread a layer of refried beans onto each sope and top with your desired ingredients. The result is a mouthwatering combination of flavors and textures.

Conclusion

Learning how to make sopes with masa opens up a world of delicious possibilities in Mexican cuisine. Whether you’re hosting a Mexican-themed dinner party or simply want to tantalize your taste buds with a homemade treat, sopes are a fantastic option. Try experimenting with different toppings and fillings to create your signature version of this traditional dish. Don’t forget to savor every bite!