| Crispy Fried Gorditas with Carnitas |
A delightful recipe for making gorditas, which are thick, fried c... |
Mexican, Appetizer, Snack, Carnitas, Taco, Street Food, Comfort Food, Fried, Stuffed, Vegetarian Options Available, Quick |
{"title":"Crispy Fried Gorditas with Carnitas","description":"A delightful recipe for making gorditas, which are thick, fried corn dough circles, perfect for stuffing with various fillings like carnitas, cheese, and vegetables. This version takes a playful twist on traditional corn tortillas and enhances them with a crispy exterior and a creamy interior.","short_description":"Crispy fried gorditas perfect for stuffing with carnitas and more.","full_ingredient_list":["2 cups masa harina","1 teaspoon baking powder","1\/2 teaspoon salt","1 tablespoon vegetable oil","1 1\/4 cups warm water","Oil for frying, such as corn or peanut","Cooked meat, shredded or chopped","Refried beans","Cheese","Sour cream","Lettuce","Tomato","Onion","Cilantro"],"components":[{"name":"Dough","ingredients":[{"name":"masa harina","quantity":"2 cups","preparation_notes":"8 ounces by weight","substitutions":[]},{"name":"baking powder","quantity":"1 teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"salt","quantity":"1\/2 teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"vegetable oil","quantity":"1 tablespoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"warm water","quantity":"1 1\/4 cups","preparation_notes":"approximate","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Oil for frying","quantity":"1 quart approximately","preparation_notes":"enough to be at least 1 inch deep, like corn or peanut","substitutions":["corn oil","peanut oil"]}],"tools_and_equipment":["Large bowl","Hot skillet","Serrated knife","Paper towels","Deep-fry thermometer"],"instructions":[{"step_number":1,"description":"In a large bowl, combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt.","tips":""},{"step_number":2,"description":"Add oil and about 1 cup of water. Stir to combine. Add enough water to make a dough that sticks together into a ball, but not so much that it sticks to your hands.","tips":""},{"step_number":3,"description":"Divide dough into 4 pieces and pat each out to a circle about 4-5 inches across and 1\/2 inch thick.","tips":""},{"step_number":4,"description":"Cook on a hot, dry skillet over medium-high heat for 1 1\/2 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned.","tips":""},{"step_number":5,"description":"Heat the oil to 360-375 degrees and place gorditas in the hot oil. They will rise to the surface after about 2 minutes. Turn and cook for another 30 seconds.","tips":"Make sure the oil is at the right temperature to ensure crispiness."},{"step_number":6,"description":"Allow gorditas to cool and drain on paper towels.","tips":""},{"step_number":7,"description":"Split open along the side with a serrated knife. Fill with desired fillings and serve right away.","tips":"Be cautious when cutting to avoid injury."}]},{"name":"Fillings","ingredients":[{"name":"Cooked meat","quantity":"as desired","preparation_notes":"shredded or chopped","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Refried beans","quantity":"as desired","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Cheese","quantity":"as desired","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Cotija cheese"]},{"name":"Sour cream","quantity":"as desired","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Lettuce","quantity":"as desired","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Tomato","quantity":"as desired","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Onion","quantity":"as desired","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Cilantro","quantity":"as desired","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Salt","quantity":"to taste","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Black pepper","quantity":"to taste","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]}],"tools_and_equipment":[],"instructions":[]}],"prep_time":"5 minutes","cook_time":"10 minutes","total_time":"15 minutes","servings":"4","tags":["Mexican","Appetizer","Snack","Carnitas","Taco","Street Food","Comfort Food","Fried","Stuffed","Vegetarian Options Available","Quick"],"notes":"Feel free to experiment with various fillings to suit your taste. Gorditas are highly versatile and can accommodate both meat and vegetarian options.","background":"Gorditas, translating to little fatties, are a popular Mexican food often found in street markets, especially in Austin. They are thick corn tortillas split open to be stuffed with a variety of fillings.","nutrition":{"calories":"Not Provided","protein":"Not Provided","fat":"Not Provided","carbohydrates":"Not Provided","fiber":"Not Provided","sugar":"Not Provided"},"serving_suggestions":"Serve gorditas hot with salsa and a squeeze of lime for an authentic touch.","storage":"Freshly made gorditas are best eaten immediately but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven for the best texture.","dietary_info":["Contains corn","Can be made gluten-free if using certified gluten-free masa harina."],"cooking_tips":["Ensure oil is at the right temperature before frying to achieve a crispy texture.","Avoid overcrowding the frying pan to maintain oil temperature."],"variations":["Try different meats like barbacoa or chicharrones.","For a vegetarian option, use grilled vegetables and beans."],"ingredient_spotlight":"Masa harina is a crucial ingredient to achieve the authentic taste of gorditas. It provides the distinctive corn flavor and texture.","flavor_profile":{"sweet":2,"savory":7,"sour":3,"bitter":1,"umami":6},"geographic_region":"Mexico","seasonality":"All year round","sustainability_score":{"score":65,"details":"Gorditas are generally sustainable due to their reliance on corn, though frying oil environmental impact varies by type."},"occasion":"Perfect for casual gatherings or as a street food snack.","skill_level":"Intermediate","cost_estimate":10,"recommended_pairings":["Margaritas","Micheladas","Guacamole"]} |
