Gorditas Rojas Deshebradas Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Combine the corn dough and 1 cup water, adding the water little by little until the dough is soft, smooth and doesn't stick to fingers. Take 3/4 cup dough and roll into a ball, then flatten into a 1/2-inch thick round disk. Place on a hot flat-top or in a cast-iron skillet for 4 minutes to form a crust. Flip and repeat on the other side. Using a knife, poke into the edge of the gordita, opening up one-third of the inside, making it into a pocket. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Set aside, covered, while making the filing. Pour the vegetable oil on the flat-top or in the cast-iron skillet. Remove the chorizo from its casing and crumble onto the hot oil. Cook for 1 minute, releasing the spices. Add the poblano peppers, garlic, tomatoes and onions. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Spread a spoonful of the refried beans inside a gordita. Add the chorizo/vegetable mixture and garnish with lettuce, sliced tomatoes and queso fresco.

Steps:

• Roast the poblanos and Anaheim chiles on a hot grill until charred. Let them sit in a sealed container for 10 minutes, then peel them and cut into strips.
• Heat the oil, then saute the onion with the jalapenos and serranos until soft, about 10 minutes.
• Blend the cream cheese with 3 cups water and add it to the pot of chiles. Add the roasted peppers, salt, pepper and cumin. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Fill Gorditas with finished product. Top with shredded cheese and serve with Refried Beans.
• For the gorditas: In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the flour, baking powder and salt; mix to combine. Add the shortening and mix for about 5 minutes. Slowly add the warm water and milk; mix until the dough is firm but soft and won't stick to your fingers. (You might not use all the liquid, or you might need to add more.) Let rest for 10 minutes.
• Portion the dough out into 2.2-ounce balls and refrigerate overnight.
• Press the dough balls into tortillas by hand. Toast the tortillas on a griddle over medium-high heat. Slice open the tortillas.
• In a pot over medium heat place pinto beans, salt and 6 cups cold water, and let simmer until softened, about an hour.
• In a pan, heat canola oil, then add 3 cups pinto beans (save the remainder for another use) and stir for about 5 minutes. Add warm water and let simmer, about 10 minutes. Use a hand blender to blend until pureed.

Steps:

• For the chile colorado: Rehydrate the chiles by letting them steep in boiling water until pliable; drain.
• Puree the chiles in a blender with the oregano, cumin, 2 tablespoons water and some salt.
• Melt the lard in a large pot. Add the chile sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the shredded beef and potatoes; simmer for 10 minutes more.
• For the gordita dough: In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the flour, baking powder and salt; mix to combine. Add the shortening and mix for about 5 minutes. Slowly added the warm water and milk; mix until the dough is firm but soft and won't stick to your fingers. (You might not use all the liquid, or you might need to add more.) Let rest for 10 mins.
• Portion the dough into 2.2-ounce balls and refrigerate overnight.
• Press the dough balls into tortillas by hand. Toast the tortillas on a griddle over medium-high heat.
• Slice open the tortillas and top with a small amount of refried beans and chile colorado.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the masa harina, salt and hot water. Gradually mix in the shortening and flour. If the dough seems dry, add a little more hot water. Form the dough into balls that will fit into the palm of your hand.
• Line a work surface with waxed paper or plastic. Sprinkle with water. Flatten balls on the wet surface until about 1/4 inch thick.
• Heat a griddle or comal over medium heat. Cook the gorditas on each side until they are cooked through.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat until hot. Fry each gordita until puffed, pressing it down into the oil occasionally with a spatula. Drain briefly on paper towels, cut the tips off and stuff full of your favorite foods.

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.