Gordita's

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 large tomato, roasted peeled and seeded
• 4 poblano chiles, roasted peeled and seeded-sliced thin
• 2 cups shredded cooked beef or 2 cups cooked lamb or 2 cups cooked chicken, seasoned
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups farmer cheese or 2 cups monterey jack cheese or 2 cups queso fresco, if you can find it
• 1 3/4 cups masa harina, mixed with
• 1 cup very warm tap water
• 2 tablespoons lard or 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• vegetable oil
• shredded lettuce
• corn salsa
• bean salsa

Recipe

• 1 mix the masa harina with the water, mix well and set aside.
• 2 in a large saucepan combine the tomato, chiles and broth.
• 3 bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
• 4 you want the mixture on the thick side.
• 5 add the shredded meat and heat for another 2-3 minutes.
• 6 remove from heat and set aside.
• 7 when warm to the touch stir in the cheese and season with salt if needed.
• 8 take the prepared masa harina and knead in the lard, salt, flour and baking powder.
• 9 you may need to add a little more water.
• 10 divide into 12 pieces, roll into balls and place on a plate, cover with plastic and let rest for 20 minutes.
• 11 place a heavy skillet, cast iron if you have it, over medium heat.
• 12 place a heavy freezer bag on the counter and place a masa round in the center.
• 13 gently roll out or pat into a 4 inch round.
• 14 pick up plastic, peel gordita away from it and place on the hot skillet.
• 15 cook for 1 minute and flip over, cooking for one minute-repeat.
• 16 you will want the gordita golden brown on both sides.
• 17 remove to a wire rack to cool and repeat until all gorditas are cooked.
• 18 at this point you can cool completely and keep in the fridge or: heat 3/4 of an inch oil in a heavy skillet.
• 19 when hot add one gordita at a time, cooking for about 2 minutes total.
• 20 your going to flip them a few times and they will get puffy-you want that.
• 21 remove and drain on paper towels, repeat until all are done.
• 22 split cooked gorditas--but not all the way through, and fill with the meat and cheese filling.
• 23 top with lettuce and various salsas.