Randy Chandler
Pupusas are a popular food in El Salvador and neighbouring Honduras. They are made from a thick, hand-formed masa cake, stuffed with cheese, beans, or pork and served with cortido, a pickled cabbage slaw. The cheese used in pupusas should be melty and stretchy, and while authentic pupusas use Salvadoran white cheese, mozzarella is a common substitute. Other types of cheese that can be used include Oaxaca, jack, feta, Swiss, gouda, tallegio, sharp cheddar, and fontina.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Salvadoran white cheese, Quesillo, Mozzarella, Jack, Oaxaca, Farmer's cheese, Swiss, Goat cheese, Parmesan, Gouda, Tallegio, Sharp cheddar, Fontina |
| Texture | Melty, stretchy, mild, salty |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is a popular choice
Mozzarella is a good option for pupusas because it is a mild, stretchy, and melty cheese. It can be used on its own or in combination with other cheeses. For example, it can be mixed with Salvadoran white cheese, or with jack cheese. It can also be used with other fillings such as beans, pork, or squash.
When making pupusas with mozzarella, it is important to ensure that the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the dough. This can be done by dividing the cheese into equal piles and patting it onto the masa before bringing the edges of the disc together to enclose the cheese.
Pupusas with mozzarella can be cooked in a pan over medium heat until they are browned and cooked through. It is normal for some of the cheese to bubble out during cooking, and this will add a delicious browned cheese element to the dish.
Overall, mozzarella is a versatile and tasty option for pupusas, and can be adapted to suit a variety of recipes and fillings.
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Salvadoran white cheese is traditional
Pupusas are a popular food in El Salvador, made from a thick corn tortilla stuffed with cheese, beans, or pork. They are typically served with a pickled cabbage slaw called curtido, which adds a refreshing, tangy element to the dish.
While there are many variations of cheese that can be used in pupusas, including mozzarella, gouda, and cheddar, Salvadoran white cheese is traditional. This cheese is mild, salty, and slightly stringy, with a similar flavour and texture to quesillo, a cheese commonly used in El Salvador.
In addition to its flavour and texture, Salvadoran white cheese is ideal for pupusas because it melts well and stretches when pulled, creating a gooey and indulgent texture that is characteristic of this dish. The cheese also browns nicely when it leaks out of the pupusa during cooking, adding to the overall taste and appearance of the final product.
While Salvadoran white cheese may be difficult to find outside of El Salvador, there are several suitable substitutes that can be used in its place. These include Mexican Oaxaca cheese, which is similar to quesillo, as well as jack and mozzarella cheeses, which can be combined to create a similar flavour profile.
By using Salvadoran white cheese or one of its substitutes, individuals can create authentic-tasting pupusas that capture the traditional flavours and textures of this beloved Salvadoran dish.
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Other cheeses can be substituted
Pupusas are thick corn tortillas filled with cheese and are a popular food in El Salvador. The cheese used in pupusas is typically a mixture of Salvadoran white cheese and mozzarella. However, other cheeses can be substituted.
Some accessible recipes suggest using mozzarella cheese on its own, while others recommend a combination of jack and mozzarella. These substitutions are suitable because they mimic the mild, salty, and slightly stringy characteristics of Salvadoran cheese.
For those seeking a similar flavour profile, Mexican Oaxaca cheese is a good alternative, resembling the quesillo used in El Salvador. If you're feeling adventurous, you could also experiment with adding a small amount of feta cheese to the mix, but be cautious as it may be too sharp.
In addition, some people have shared their experiences using other cheese varieties, such as Swiss cheese, goat cheese, and Parmesan. However, these substitutions may result in a drier pupusa, so caution is advised.
Lastly, if you're looking for a more savoury option, farmer's cheese can be used as a substitute for mozzarella, offering a different flavour profile while still achieving desirable results.
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Melty, stretchy, mild cheeses work well
Melty, stretchy, and mild cheeses work well in pupusas. While some recipes suggest using Salvadoran white cheese, others recommend mozzarella, which is more readily available. Mozzarella is stretchy and mild, making it a good fit for this criterion. One recipe suggests using a mix of mozzarella and farmer's cheese. Another suggests using a mix of mozzarella and jack cheese.
If you're looking for alternatives to mozzarella, you could try gouda, tallegio, sharp cheddar, or fontina. Swiss cheese can also be a good option, as it has a mild flavour and is stretchy when melted.
For a more authentic Salvadoran experience, you could try Oaxacan cheese, which is similar to quesillo, a Salvadoran cheese.
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Pupusas can be stuffed with other fillings
Pupusas are a popular food in El Salvador and neighbouring Honduras. They are thick corn tortillas or flatbreads made from masa harina (cornmeal flour) or rice flour, mixed with water to make a corn masa mixture. They are usually stuffed with cheese, but can also be filled with refried beans, shredded pork, or braised meats such as chicken or beef. Pupusas are typically served with a pickled cabbage slaw called curtido, which adds a refreshing, tangy element to the rich and cheesy pupusas.
While some recipes call for authentic Salvadoran cheese, others suggest using mozzarella, which is more readily available. One recipe recommends a mixture of Salvadoran white cheese and high-quality mozzarella, while another suggests using Polly-O, a brand established in Brooklyn in 1899. For those unable to find Salvadoran cheese, substitutes such as Mexican Oaxaca cheese, jack cheese, or a mix of jack and mozzarella can be used. One source recommends any melty, stretchy, mild cheese, such as Swiss cheese, while another suggests farmer's cheese.
Pupusas can also be made with other types of cheese, such as gouda, tallegio, sharp cheddar, or fontina. One recipe includes roasted squash, pickled jalapeños, and mozzarella cheese, while another suggests pureed beans and cheese. The possibilities for fillings are endless, and pupusas can be customised to suit individual tastes.
To make pupusas, the dough is rolled into balls, about the size of a golf ball, and then flattened into discs. The filling is placed in the centre, and the sides are folded over to enclose it, creating a half-moon shape. The edges are then pinched to seal the pupusa. The pupusas are cooked in a pan over medium heat until golden brown on both sides. They are served immediately with curtido and, optionally, a red sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional cheese used in pupusas is quesillo, also known as Oaxacan cheese.
Monterey Jack, mozzarella, gouda, tallegio, sharp cheddar, and fontina are all good substitutes for quesillo.
Mozzarella is a popular choice for pupusas de queso.
