Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran red bean and mora leaf patties with fresh cheese, over roasted tomato sauce and pickled cucumber
Golden, tender patties made with cooked red beans, chopped mora leaves, and fresh cheese, served over a homemade roasted tomato sauce and paired with quick-pickled cucumber. This is an original Salvadoran-inspired recipe with homestyle flavors, vegetables, and a balance of creamy, tangy, and roasted notes.
Ingredients
- 400 g cooked red beans, drained (pueden machacarse lightly)
- 80 g mora leaves (lavadas and chopped finely)
- 120 g fresh cheese (desmoronado)
- 1 unit egg (for ligar)
- 40 g corn flour (dough harina or harina fina of maíz)
- 90 g white onion (the mitad chopped fina for the mezcla and the mitad for the sauce)
- 2 cloves garlic (1 for the mezcla and 1 for the sauce)
- 2 g ground cumin (divided)
- 8 g salt (divided or to taste)
- 2 g black pepper (divided)
- 500 g ripe tomato (for roasting)
- 1 unit green chile (without semillas if desired menos picante)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided entre sauce, mezcla and cocción)
- 120 ml water (for ajustar the sauce)
- 60 ml white vinegar (for the encurtido)
- 180 g cucumber (en medias lunas finas)
- 8 g sugar (for balancear the encurtido)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the encurtido)
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 220 °C / 425 °F. Place the tomatoes, green chile, half of the onion, and 1 garlic clove on a tray. Drizzle with 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil and roast for 18 to 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and lightly charred in spots.
- 2
2. While the vegetables roast, make the quick pickle. In a bowl, combine the cucumber with the white vinegar, sugar, dried oregano, 2 g (about 1/4 tsp) salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well and let it rest for at least 15 minutes.
- 3
3. For the patty mixture, heat 5 ml (1 tsp) oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining half of the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in 1 chopped garlic clove and the mora leaves; cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Let cool slightly.
- 4
4. In a large bowl, place the cooked red beans and partially mash them with a fork, leaving some texture. Add the sautéed mora and onion mixture, fresh cheese, egg, corn flour, 1 g (1/2 tsp) cumin, 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, and 1 g (1/4 tsp) black pepper. Mix until you have a moldable mixture. If it feels too wet, let it rest for 5 minutes so the flour absorbs moisture.
- 5
5. Shape the mixture into 8 medium patties of equal size and place them on a plate. Gently press them so they are firm and about 1.5 cm / 1/2 inch thick.
- 6
6. Remove the roasted tomatoes, chile, onion, and garlic from the oven. Blend them with the water, the remaining 1 g (1/2 tsp) cumin, 2 g (about 1/4 tsp) salt, and a pinch of black pepper until you get a semi-smooth sauce.
- 7
7. Pour the sauce into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and the flavors come together.
- 8
8. Heat the remaining 25 ml (1 tbsp + 2 tsp) oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deeply golden on the outside and heated through. Adjust the heat so they do not burn.
- 9
9. To serve, spread the roasted tomato sauce on the plates, place the hot patties on top, and finish with the lightly drained pickled cucumber.
- 10
10. Serve immediately while the patties still have their crisp exterior and the warm sauce contrasts with the fresh pickle.
Chef tips
If the mora leaves are very tender, a brief sauté is enough to keep their color. For a firmer texture, chill the patty mixture for 10 minutes before shaping and frying.
Substitutions
You can replace mora leaves with chard or spinach, although the flavor will be less traditional. Fresh cheese can be replaced with crumbled queso duro blando. If you do not have white vinegar, use apple cider vinegar in the same amount.
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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