Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran corn and mulberry leaf pastries filled with spiced black beans and cheese, with roasted tomato sauce
Crisp, golden pastries made with a soft corn dough mixed with finely chopped mulberry leaves, filled with seasoned black beans and melty fresh cheese. They are served with a roasted tomato sauce with onion, garlic, and green chile, inspired by homemade Salvadoran flavors.
Ingredients
- 240 g nixtamalized corn flour (for the dough)
- 40 g mulberry leaves (finely chopped and without stalks duros)
- 360 ml warm water (approx., for formar the dough)
- 6 g salt (divided)
- 240 g cooked black beans (escurridos)
- 120 g fresh cheese (desmoronado)
- 100 g white onion (divided diced small)
- 9 g garlic (divided)
- 1 g ground cumin
- 1 g dried oregano
- 500 g ripe tomatoes (for roasting)
- 30 g green chile (without semillas for menos picante)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided, more cantidad adicional for frying poco profundo si hace falta)
- 120 ml bean broth or water (for the relleno and the sauce)
- 15 ml lime juice (for equilibrar the sauce)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 425 °F / 220 °C. Place the tomatoes, half of the onion, 2 garlic cloves, and the green chile on a tray. Rub with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and roast for 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and lightly charred around the edges.
- 2
2. While the vegetables roast, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining onion and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in 1 minced garlic clove, the cooked black beans, cumin, oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for 5 minutes, lightly mashing the beans and adding 2 to 4 tablespoons of bean broth or water until you have a thick filling. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
- 3
3. Mix the warm bean filling with the crumbled fresh cheese. Set aside.
- 4
4. In a large bowl, combine the nixtamalized corn flour, chopped mulberry leaves, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the warm water and mix until a soft dough forms that is moist but easy to handle. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
- 5
5. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it between your hands or between two sheets of plastic to make discs about 4 to 5 inches / 10 to 12 cm wide. Place some bean and cheese filling in the center of each disc, fold into a half-moon shape, and seal the edges well by pressing with your fingers.
- 6
6. Heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the pastries for 3 to 4 minutes per side, in batches, until golden and firm. If the skillet gets dry, add a little more oil. Keep the cooked pastries warm on a tray in a low oven at 200 °F / 95 °C while finishing the rest.
- 7
7. Transfer the roasted tomatoes, roasted onion, roasted garlic, green chile, lime juice, the remaining bean broth or water, and a pinch of salt to a blender. Blend until smooth or slightly rustic, depending on your preference.
- 8
8. Pour the sauce into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes to bring the flavors together. Adjust salt if needed.
- 9
9. Serve the corn and mulberry leaf pastries hot, topped with or served alongside the roasted tomato sauce.
Chef tips
If the dough cracks while shaping, dampen your hands with a little warm water and seal again. For a crispier texture, cook an extra minute per side over medium-low heat.
Substitutions
You can replace the mulberry leaves with spinach or chipilín if unavailable. Fresh cheese can be swapped for queso duro blando or low-moisture mozzarella, and black beans can be replaced with cooked red beans.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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