Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran pipián and corn patties with fresh cheese center, tomato and chile pasa sauce, and crunchy cabbage salad
An original recipe inspired by home-style Salvadoran cooking: tender patties made with young squash and ground corn, filled with fresh cheese, pan-seared until golden outside and soft inside, served with a homemade tomato and chile pasa sauce plus a fresh cabbage and radish salad for contrast.
Ingredients
- 300 g grated young pipián squash (escurrido lightly si suelta mucha agua)
- 250 g fresh ground corn (or dough of maíz fresh)
- 120 g Salvadoran fresh cheese (cut en 8 cubes)
- 1 unit egg (for ligar)
- 60 g finely chopped white onion (divided)
- 6 g minced garlic (divided)
- 12 g chopped fresh cilantro (divided)
- 30 g rice flour (for ajustar the mezcla)
- 8 g salt (divided or to taste)
- 2 g ground black pepper (divided)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided for frying and sofreír)
- 300 g ripe tomato (chopped for the sauce)
- 10 g dried chile pasa (without semillas)
- 180 ml water (for the sauce)
- 150 g finely shredded cabbage (for the ensalada)
- 60 g thinly sliced radish (for the ensalada)
- 30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the ensalada)
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. In a bowl, combine the shredded cabbage with the radish, lime juice, oregano, 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt, 1 g (1/4 tsp) pepper, and half of the chopped cilantro. Toss well and let it rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the rest.
- 2
2. For the sauce, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté half of the onion and half of the garlic for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened. Add the chopped tomato, dried chile pasa, 120 ml (1/2 cup) water, and 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt. Cook for 10 minutes, until the tomato breaks down and the chile softens.
- 3
3. Blend or mash the cooked sauce until slightly rustic. Return it to the skillet, add the remaining 60 ml (1/4 cup) water if you want a looser consistency, and cook 3 to 4 minutes more. Adjust with a pinch of salt and keep warm.
- 4
4. In another bowl, mix the grated pipián with the fresh ground corn, egg, rice flour, remaining onion, remaining garlic, remaining cilantro, 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, and 1 g (1/4 tsp) pepper. Mix until you have a moist but shapeable dough. If it feels too loose, let it rest for 5 minutes so the rice flour absorbs moisture.
- 5
5. Divide the mixture into 8 portions. Take one portion, flatten it in your hand, place a cube of fresh cheese in the center, and cover with the same mixture, sealing the edges well to form a patty. Repeat with the remaining portions.
- 6
6. Heat 30 ml (2 tbsp) oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden and firm. The inside should be thoroughly hot; if you prefer, finish them in the oven for 5 minutes at 180 °C / 350 °F after browning.
- 7
7. Serve the hot patties over a base of tomato and chile pasa sauce. Add the crunchy cabbage and radish salad on the side.
- 8
8. If desired, let the patties rest for 2 minutes before serving so the fresh cheese settles slightly and does not spill out when cut.
Chef tips
Drain the pipián only if it releases too much water; a little moisture helps keep the patties tender. Keep the heat at medium so they cook through without burning outside.
Substitutions
You can use tender zucchini if pipián is unavailable. Fresh cheese can be replaced with firm cuajada. If you cannot find chile pasa, use a mild dried chile guaco in a small 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 imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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