8.10.2010

the pupusa...

According to Wikipedia, (the provider of all my knowledge nowadays), "Pupusas, also known as Pupisio, were first created centuries ago by the Pipil tribes which dwelled in the territory now known as El Salvador."  I would like to pledge my unending love and devotion to the Pipil tribes. 

I've discussed my newfound love of Salvadorean food lately and I'm still on that kick.  My pocketbook, and desire to leave the house as little as possible until it is under 100 degrees, have forced me to try and replicate the divine meal I keep eating at Salvadorean restaurants.

We took a trip to a nearby market that carries many south of the border treats.  These were the closest things we could find to the pupusa so it's what we went with.  Wasn't exactly the same and I wouldn't eat them without the sauces and baked plantains (recipe off the internet), but they were a close second.  We filled them with black beans and Queso Fresco cheese (from the same market) and cooked them on the griddle.

 

Luckily, the market also had this - which is a little different than regular sour cream.  It, on the plate with a sort of puréed pinto bean mixture works wonders with the baked plantains, which you kind of dip into each sauce (this is how they served it at the restaurants).  I warmed the cream a bit to make it a little runny and just tossed a can of pinto beans into the blender and heated them up - delish, probably doesn't sound like it would be (didn't to me) but it really it was...


I also made some polenta, which I KNOW is Italian but I like it with this type of food.  I just put chopped green chilis in and call it a day.  Now, this plate of food is all kind of the same color and I realize it doesn't look all that appetizing but I promise you - it is.


My point in all this, sometimes there isn't one but this time there is, is that many of our favorite dishes here at Pagoda are the ones we loved at restaurants and did our best to copy here at home.  Give it a try.

Do you have a favorite at home dish that you copied from a restaurant?

19 comments:

Maria said...

Wow - yummy - going to be exploring this new "food group".

We have tried to re-create most of our favorites, and in the end, most things we ended up liking better when made at home b/c we could boost up or play down flavors to suit our own tastes.

Currently, as you know, pizza is the fave for the dynamic duo. They each insist on making their own crust with the rolling, tossing, topping included and they are VERY particular about the sauce, seasoning and the combination of cheeses used. Too funny! What fun!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Sweetie...
Oh my you are so brave and you try so many wonderful new food groups. I am not quite as brave.

This looks wonderful though, and how in the heck can you stand to cook in the heat? I have been trying to stay with cold things for now. After a day working 10-12 hours and then having to come home to cook, that gas stove does not say welcome to me.

What can you come up with that is with less cooking? Is this what is for dinner tonight sweet friend? I may have to stop by on my way home.

Ha! Ha! Ha! Have a beautiful day sweetie. Thank you for sharing. I love to see what you are up to.

Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Silver Strands said...

Ooooh! You've plated that up so beautifully! (Every think of running a restaurant yourself?)

Jeanette, I'm out of the loop, but I didn't know you make jewelry! If you're interested, I'd love to host a giveaway of one of your pieces. Let me know.

Hope you have a great day!
oxoxox
Denalee

KC said...

I have never eat Salvadorn food and I don't think I would have wanted to because it doesn't look that appealing but if you say it's good, I'll try it! I feel adventurous now.

I've never tried to copy anything at home but I like the idea, I mean why not?

Unknown said...

sounds yummy x

MJM said...

I try it all the time! I'm still learning to become a better cook, but sometimes things turn out well.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

You are a great cook - adventurous. You had a good teacher - he he he!

Beatnheart said...

Well, I would just to love to come and hang at your pad and have you cook for me... I’m game to try it all. English Husband wouldn’t touch this dish no matter how delish it would taste... so I need to try it at a restaurant. Never had El Salvadorian food. I betcha there are lots of places here.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Cynthia, there HAS to be lots of places in your neck of the woods. I first tried it in Seattle!

KR said...

That looks delish! Great pics!
I don't like to cook so don't try out restaurant dishes at home but I do love to try new things! Luckily my daughter likes to cook and is sooo very good at it! :)

Andrew H. said...

This food is wonderful. Trust me! If you aren't willing to try it yourself, find a local restaurant that offers it and go.


p.s. I'd love to hear some of the banter at Maria house with the boys making the decisions on the pizza! Sounds hilarious.

Reya Mellicker said...

Oh man you are making me so so so hungry.

Moving from El Salvador to India: I found fresh curry leaves at Eastern Market today so I'm going to attempt to make salmon curry tomorrow. Wish me luck!!

Lisa said...

I bought plantains once on accident, thought they were bananas and didn't enjoy them at all. I see you cooked them, do they have to be cooked? Maybe that was my mistake.

Unknown said...

Oh, yum! I love ethnic food, I'll try pretty much anything! I have made black bean cakes from a restaurant in Atlanta, they turned out great! XO!

Megan (Best of Fates) said...

Wow - I've never had Salvadorian food, but you make it sound delicious!

Maria said...

A.H. - Banter eh? Is that we are going to call it? :-D You are welcome to join us - bring your apron and expect to be covered in flour and red sauce :-D

pamela said...

the sopes were what meg liked so much at my house. i sprayed them with olive oil and put in the toaster oven, then we put beans, queso fresco, avocado and salsa.
delicioso.
must make a trip to the mercado.

bronwyn said...

In my early 20's, I used to copy a couple of really simple pasta dishes from the menu of a restaurant where I worked. I was fairly new to cooking and these pastas were easy and tasty and my friends were always impressed. More recently, I started recreating some of my favorite thai dishes. I was really surprised by how easy my favorite noodle dish is.

There are a ton of salvadorian places around here, but I've never been (they tend to be near some really good taquerias). I'll have to give it a try. Good job with your meal. It looks like a lot of work. :)

Anonymous said...

this looks so good..
much better than bread with lard, don't you think?