Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran Purple Corn Tostaditas with Red Beans, Loroco, and Avocado Cream
An original recipe inspired by traditional Salvadoran flavors: crispy little purple corn tostaditas topped with red beans simmered with loroco, fresh pickled cabbage, avocado cream, and grated hard cheese. Ideal for a light meal or shared dinner.
Ingredients
- 300 g purple corn masa (for formar the tostaditas)
- 240 ml warm water (ajustar si the dough lo necesita)
- 5 g salt (divided entre dough, frijoles and curtido)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided for pan and frijoles)
- 360 g cooked red beans (escurridos lightly with a poco of caldo)
- 40 g chopped loroco buds (fresh or descongelado)
- 100 g white onion (50 g chopped for frijoles and 50 g en pluma for curtido)
- 6 g garlic (chopped finely)
- 1 g ground cumin (for the frijoles)
- 150 g cabbage (finely grated)
- 60 g carrot (grated)
- 30 ml white vinegar (for the curtido)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the curtido)
- 150 g ripe avocado (for the cream)
- 120 ml Salvadoran cream (for the cream)
- 15 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 8 g fresh cilantro (chopped, for the cream)
- 60 g grated hard Salvadoran cheese (for servir)
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, mix the purple corn masa with the warm water and 2 g (1/2 teaspoon) of salt until you have a soft, workable dough. If it feels dry, add a little more water; if too wet, keep kneading until well combined.
- 2
2. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape into balls. Flatten each one between your palms or with plastic wrap to make small discs about 8 cm (3 inches) wide and 3 mm thick.
- 3
3. Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat, about 350°F / 175°C at the cooking surface. Cook the corn discs for 2 minutes per side until lightly changed in color and set. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
- 4
4. Meanwhile, make the slaw: combine the cabbage, carrot, half of the sliced onion, white vinegar, dried oregano, and 1 g (1/4 teaspoon) of salt. Massage gently with your hands and let it rest while you continue the recipe.
- 5
5. For the beans, heat 15 ml (1 tablespoon) vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ground cumin, and cook 30 seconds more.
- 6
6. Add the cooked red beans, chopped loroco, and 2 g (1/2 teaspoon) salt. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, partially mashing the beans to create a thick, spreadable texture. If they become too dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. Keep warm.
- 7
7. In a blender or using a fork, combine the ripe avocado, Salvadoran cream, lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- 8
8. Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C. Place the pre-cooked corn discs on a tray, brush both sides with the remaining 30 ml (2 tablespoons) vegetable oil, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until crisp and lightly golden at the edges.
- 9
9. To serve, spread each tostadita with a layer of red beans with loroco. Top with a little cabbage slaw, a spoonful of avocado cream, and finish with grated hard cheese.
- 10
10. Serve the tostaditas immediately to keep the contrast between the crisp corn, creamy beans, and fresh slaw.
Chef tips
If you cannot find purple corn masa, you can use white or yellow corn masa, though the color and flavor will change. For extra crispness, leave the tostaditas in the oven 2 additional minutes, watching closely.
Substitutions
You can substitute Salvadoran cream with thick sour cream. Hard Salvadoran cheese can be replaced with dry grated fresh cheese. If loroco is unavailable, use a small amount of chopped squash blossom to keep a traditional profile, though the result will be different.
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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