Best Gorditas Recipes

GORDITAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the masa harina, salt and hot water. Gradually mix in the shortening and flour. If the dough seems dry, add a little more hot water. Form the dough into balls that will fit into the palm of your hand.
• Line a work surface with waxed paper or plastic. Sprinkle with water. Flatten balls on the wet surface until about 1/4 inch thick.
• Heat a griddle or comal over medium heat. Cook the gorditas on each side until they are cooked through.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat until hot. Fry each gordita until puffed, pressing it down into the oil occasionally with a spatula. Drain briefly on paper towels, cut the tips off and stuff full of your favorite foods.

GORDITAS MEXICANAS

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Add chicken, chicken bouillon, onion, and garlic. Cover and simmer until chicken is no longer pink the middle, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat a pancake grill to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Mix corn flour, 1 1/4 cups water, and salt together in a bowl until a smooth, moist dough is formed. Add more water if the dough seems too dry. Divide dough into 8 to 10 medium-sized balls and pat each into a 1/4-inch thick round.
• Cook dough rounds on the preheated grill until cooked on the outside, about 3 minutes per side. Pull the edges out while still hot, making a little indention in the center of each gordita.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Deep fry gorditas until golden brown on both sides, 2 to 5 minutes per gordita. Set aside on a wire cooling rack.
• Pour beans into a small saucepan and warm over medium heat.
• Drain chicken, reserving cooking liquid. Remove meat from the bones and transfer meat to a food processor. Add a few tablespoons of cooking liquid and chop to desired consistency.
• Spread a layer of warm beans on each gordita, then top with chopped chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and cotija cheese. Finish with a dollop of sour cream.

MEXICAN FRY BREAD (MEXICAN FRIED GORDITAS)

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt, baking powder and shortening; mix until shortening is blended. Add water; mix well.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board; knead until smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Roll dough into a ball; place into a plastic bag.
• Separate and roll out enough dough to make six 4- to 6-inch thin, flat rounds.
• In a cast iron skillet, heat oil to 375 degrees F.
• Place rounds in oil; cook each side 20 to 30 seconds or until light golden brown.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove rounds from skillet; drain on paper towel.
• Fill with prepared fillings as desired.

GORDITAS DE PILONCILLO (SWEET FRIED MASA CAKES)

Steps:

• Combine the piloncillo, cheese, and canela in a bowl and knead in the masa until uniformly distributed. Add a bit of water if it feels too dry or a little masa harina if it's too sticky. Shape the dough into 12 even balls.
• Place enough lard in a heavy pot to reach a depth of least 3 inches and heat to about 365°F. (You can check the temperature by dipping a wooden spoon in the fat; once it steadily bubbles, it's ready.) While this heats, flatten the masa rounds between your hands (you can dampen your hands very lightly so they don't stick or press down on top with a piece of plastic wrap) to about ⅛ inch thick. Slide them into the hot fat and bathe them with a spoon so they are covered with fat at all times, and turn often, frying until they are golden on all sides and make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Drain on paper bags or towels and enjoy warm. (You can keep them in a warming oven for 15 minutes.)

GORDITAS

Steps:

• Combine the corn dough and 1 cup water, adding the water little by little until the dough is soft, smooth and doesn't stick to fingers. Take 3/4 cup dough and roll into a ball, then flatten into a 1/2-inch thick round disk. Place on a hot flat-top or in a cast-iron skillet for 4 minutes to form a crust. Flip and repeat on the other side. Using a knife, poke into the edge of the gordita, opening up one-third of the inside, making it into a pocket. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Set aside, covered, while making the filing. Pour the vegetable oil on the flat-top or in the cast-iron skillet. Remove the chorizo from its casing and crumble onto the hot oil. Cook for 1 minute, releasing the spices. Add the poblano peppers, garlic, tomatoes and onions. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Spread a spoonful of the refried beans inside a gordita. Add the chorizo/vegetable mixture and garnish with lettuce, sliced tomatoes and queso fresco.

CORN MASA POCKETS WITH CLASSIC SHREDDED BEEF: GORDITAS CON CARNE DESHEBRADA

Steps:

• The Shredded beef filling: In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the meat with 2 quarts salted water, about 1/3 of the onions, and half of the garlic and simmer until the meat is very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Strain, reserving the broth for another use. When the meat is cool enough to handle, shred it into coarse strands with your fingers or 2 forks ? don't worry that there are bits of onion and garlic mixed with the meat.
• Wash and dry the saucepan, set it over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the oil is hot, add half of the remaining onions and cook until golden, about 6 minutes, then stir in the remaining garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes and chiles and cook until most of the juice has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Stir in the shredded meat and simmer for a few more minutes, then taste and season with about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Forming, filling, and griddle-baking the gorditas: Heat a well-seasoned or nonstick griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat. Knead the masa (fresh or reconstituted) to make it pliable, adding a little water if necessary to achieve a soft-cookie-dough consistency. Knead in the flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Divide the dough into 10 portions and roll into balls; cover with plastic to keep from drying out. Line a tortilla press with 2 pieces of plastic cut to fit the plates (to be on the safe side, cut them from a food storage bag; the thicker plastic usually works better for beginners). Gently press out a ball of dough between the sheets of plastic to about 4 inches in diameter (it'll be about 1/4 inch thick). You've now made a gordita, which is what you call a fat tortilla. Peel off the top sheet of plastic, flip the gordita, uncovered side down, onto the fingers of 1 hand, and gently peel off the second piece of plastic. In one flowing movement, roll the gordita off your hand and onto the heated griddle or skillet. Bake for about 1 1/2 minutes, then flip and bake for another 1 1/2 minutes on the other side. The gordita will be lightly browned and crusty on the top and bottom, but still a little uncooked on the sides. Remove to a plate. Continue pressing and griddle-baking the remaining gorditas in the same manner.
• Finishing the gorditas: When you're ready to serve, warm the shredded beef. Rinse the remaining onions in a small strainer under cold water and shake to remove the excess moisture. Have the cheese and cilantro at the ready.
• In a deep heavy medium skillet or saucepan, heat 1/2-inch of oil over medium to medium-high until the oil is hot enough to make the edge of a gordita sizzle sharply, about 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. One by one, fry the gorditas, turning them after they've been in the oil for about 15 seconds, until they're nicely crisp but not hard, about 45 seconds total. When they're ready, most will have puffed up a little, like pita bread. Drain on paper towels.
• Once they all are fried, use a small knife to cut a slit in the thin edge of each one about halfway around its circumference, opening a pocket. As you cut them, fill each gordita with about 1/4-cup shredded meat and a sprinkling of the onions, grated cheese, and cilantro.
• Line up the filled gorditas on a serving platter and pass them around (with plenty of napkins) for your guest to enjoy.

GORDAS PETROLERAS RECIPE (HOMEMADE GORDITAS WITH PORK)

Steps:

• To make the chicharrón prensado, toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, for about 2 minutes; they should be richly aromatic but not burned. Put in a blender with the garlic, onion, and 2 cups water, and blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes.
• In a large pot combine the carnitas with pork skin and the salsa over low heat. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the salsa is reduced enough to thickly coat the meat. You shouldn't need to add any salt here, as the carnitas should be well seasoned.
• Place all the ingredients in a blender and purée until smooth (some people prefer a coarse purée). Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, using a spoon to mash the avocados into the other ingredients. It's up to you how much to mash-I like mine pretty lumpy!
• To make the gordas, knead the masa with the lard or oil until it's fully incorporated (it's impossible to overwork masa since there's no gluten, and in fact it only improves in quality the more you work it). Separate the masa into 8 equal portions and roll into balls. Place a ball between two sheets of plastic (cut from a plastic bag) and flatten to create a ½-inch-thick tortilla shape with a tortilla press or with this cookbook. Repeat for all the balls.
• Heat a griddle or large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add as many gordas as will comfortably fit in the skillet. Cook for about 20 minutes, flipping every 3 minutes or so. They should get golden brown on the outside, with some charred specks; reduce the heat if they brown too quickly. They're done when the inside is soft and fluffy, and the outside crisp and crunchy. (Gordas are best straight from the griddle, but can be kept in a 250ºF oven until ready to serve, if necessary.)
• Slice open the gordas three-fourths of the way around, then fill each pocket with about 2 tablespoons of the chicharrón prensado, then queso, onion, cilantro, salsa, guacamole, and lime to taste.

MEXICAN FRY BREAD GORDITAS

Steps:

• 1. Combine flour, salt, baking powder and shortening; mix until shortening is blended. Add water; mix well. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board; knead until smooth, about 2 minutes. Roll dough into a ball; place into a plastic bag and let sit for 10 minutes. Separate into 10 balls and roll out each ball of dough to make 10 (4-inch to 6-inch) flat, thin rounds.
• 2. In a cast iron skillet, heat oil to 375 degrees F. Place rounds in oil one at a time; cook each side 18 to 35 seconds or until light golden brown. Remove rounds from skillet with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Fill with prepared fillings as desired or eat as a bread with soups and stews.

GRANDMA'S GORDITAS

Steps:

• Combine corn masa flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Add a little water at a time until a firm dough forms. Divide dough into equal pieces and roll between your hands to form small balls. Press dough into 1/4-inch circles.
• Heat a griddle or comal over medium heat. Add dough circles to the hot griddle and cook until light brown, slightly inflated, and cooked on the outsides, about 3 minutes per side.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry gorditas in batches, if necessary, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

GORDITAS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
• 2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn, salt, and 1/2 cup water. Whisk in the cornmeal and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• 3. Add the butter and cheese, stirring to combine. Remove from heat.
• 4. Grease a 6-cup muffin tin. Divide the corn mixture evenly among the cups, pressing it into the bottom and up the sides to create cups.
• 5. Bake until crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then turn the corn cups out of the tin.
• 6. Stuff them with the fillings of your choice and serve.

MEXICAN GORDITAS ( LITTLE FAT ONES) (GORDITAS RELLENAS)

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, mix the Masa Harina with the water or broth and 2 tablespoons oil or melted lard and the salt.
• 2. Knead the dough just until it comes to a ball. You might need to add a little more water or broth to make it a little moist but not sticky.
• 3. Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and roll into a 10-inch log.
• 4. Cut into 10 pieces.
• 5. Using a 3 inch round biscuit cutter, mold the pieces into flat disks a scant 1/2 inch thick.
• 6. Heat a large griddle or comal ( a round flat griddle). Put the gorditas on the griddle to cook over moderate/high heat, turning once, until lightly browned in spots about two minutes per side.
• 7. Using the back of a spoon, lightly press indenting starting from the middle and all around the gordita on one side only leaving a lip all around the edge of the gordita. In other words, your gorditas should look like flat little bowls with a lip all around.
• 8. In a large skillet, heat about a 1/2 cup oil or lard or butter. Oil or lard should be shimmering. Add the gorditas and fry over high heat until golden and crispy. About 2 minutes per side.
• 9. Drain on paper towels.
• 10. Top with your favorite toppings such as the seasoned shredded pork or chicken or chorizo filling the indentation or the wells in each of the little gordita patties. Finish topping with the salsa, sour cream or queso fresco or Cotija cheese. Serve hot. These are truly luscious. Tip: Make two batches your family will want more than ten.
• 11. The above picture shows my gorditas made with chorizo, diced sweet onion, grated queso fresco and I have used two sauces, to top them off. Tomatillo salsa and chipotle salsa. Enjoy

GORDITAS DE FRIJOLES NEGROS CON QUESO

Steps:

• Mezcla la masa harina, el agua y los frijoles con las manos hasta formar una masa; forma 12 bolitas de 2 pulgs. de diámetro. Tápalas con una toalla húmeda hasta el momento de usar.
• Aplasta cada bolita hasta formar un disco de 5 pulgs. Pon 2 cdas. de queso al centro de cada disco y encierra completamente el relleno, juntando la masa por arriba y presionando los bordes para sellarla del todo. Luego, aplasta las bolitas rellenas para formar gorditas de 4 pulgs.
• Calienta a fuego medio-alto una sartén grande o comal rociado con aceite en aerosol. Añade las gorditas; cocínalas de 2 a 3 min. por lado o hasta que estén ligeramente infladas. Sírvelas con crema agria y salsa encima.

GORDITAS: STUFFED POCKETS OF LOVE

Steps:

• Mix flours, baking powder, and salt and add the warm water. Combine thoroughly to make a smooth dough. Make balls the size of a walnut, a few at a time. Set aside and keep covered.
• Moisten a cloth napkin and spread out on a flat surface. Roll each ball of dough in moistened palm of your hand until smooth, lay on the damp towel, cover with a plastic bag and press down to flatten. To shape the patty, cut with a 2 to 2 1/4-inch diameter cookie cutter. It should be about 1/4 inch thick. Smooth the rough edges with your finger making ready to fry.
• Heat a cast iron skillet, filled half way with corn oil, to 375 degrees F. Slide the patties into hot oil and fry until the light golden brown and crispy about 1 minute on each side. Drain on paper towels and make a slit on the side as soon as they cool enough to handle. Push 1 teaspoon of shredded cheese, chicken, and cabbage, and drizzle entire packet with Salsa Liquida.
• Submerge tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds and then plunge into ice bath. Peel and seed the tomatoes. Puree the tomatoes, jalapeno, garlic, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper.

GORDITAS

Steps:

• Fry beef and onion together.
• Season with salt, pepper, garlic salt and chile powder.
• While meat is cooking, mix with hands all ingredients for shells.
• Pinch off small portion of dough and roll into 2-inch ball.
• With quick patting motion, flatten out to 1/2 inch thickness and about 3 inches in diameter.
• Fry in hot grease until golden brown, turning once. Drain.
• Make a slit through the middle; open slightly like a taco shell and stuff with meat mixture, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese.

GORDITAS - CRISPY PUFFY TACOS

Steps:

• 1. Mix Masa and salt together in a heat proof bowl.
• 2. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water to Masa mixture. Stir with a spoon to combine
• 3. If the dough is still too dry add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until dough is pliable.
• 4. Allow dough too cool a little. When it is still very warm knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will remind you a little of the softness of pizza dough
• 5. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest 30 minutes.
• 6. While dough is resting preheat your iron skillet to medium heat. Turn on your deep fryer about 10 minutes before you press your first gordita
• 7. Separate dough into 10 equal pieces. Press between plastic in a tortilla press until it is about 3/8 inches thick and 4" in diameter.
• 8. Place gordita on to you iron skillet. Cook for 1 minute until it releases from pan.
• 9. Flip and cook the other side.
• 10. Remove from skillet and drop immediately into deep fryer. Make sure to drop in a way that it completely submerges itself in the oil.
• 11. It will begin to "puff" up right away. Cook until light, crispy, and golden brown.
• 12. Remove from deep fryer and allow to drain. I use a metal colander for this.
• 13. Continue until all gorditas are cooked.
• 14. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
• 15. Top with your favorite toppings, beans, onion, cheese, and taco sauce. Shredded pork, slaw, pico. Use your imagination. Have fun and enjoy!

GORDITAS DE PILONCILLO

Steps:

• Combine the piloncillo, cheese, and canela in a bowl and knead in the masa until uniformly distributed. Add a bit of water if it feels too dry or a little masa harina if it's too sticky. Shape the dough into 12 even balls.
• Place enough lard in a heavy pot to reach a depth of least 3 inches and heat to about 365°F. (You can check the temperature by dipping a wooden spoon in the fat; once it steadily bubbles, it's ready.) While this heats, flatten the masa rounds between your hands (you can dampen your hands very lightly so they don't stick or press down on top with a piece of plastic wrap) to about 1/8 inch thick. Slide them into the hot fat and bathe them with a spoon so they are covered with fat at all times, and turn often, frying until they are golden on all sides and make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Drain on paper bags or towels and enjoy warm. (You can keep them in a warming oven for 15 minutes.)

GORDITAS CON CAMARONES

Steps:

• Stir masa, 1 Tbsp. lard, 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton salt, and 1 cup water in a medium bowl until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms. If dry, mix in another 1 Tbsp. water. Cover and let sit at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, bring guajillo chiles, morita chiles, coriander, and 1½ cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Cover, remove from heat, and let sit, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes to allow chiles to soften. Transfer to a blender and purée until smooth; set aside.
• Place rack in lowest position in oven; preheat to 500°F. Brush a rimmed baking sheet with 2 Tbsp. lard. Divide dough into 4 pieces and form into balls. Set on work surface and cover with a damp kitchen towel. Place 1 ball between 2 sheets of parchment or wax paper. Using a small skillet or saucepan, gently press ball into a 5"-diameter disk. Carefully peel away parchment; place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining balls.
• Bake gorditas until outer edges are lightly golden, 10-12 minutes. Turn over and bake until golden brown and crisp, 10-12 minutes. Transfer to plates and let cool 10 minutes. Insert a paring knife into side of gordita and, using a slow sawing motion, cut open along one side (keep other side intact).
• Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. lard in a large skillet over high. Cook shrimp until lightly browned and just cooked through, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a medium bowl. Reduce heat to medium and cook garlic in same skillet, tossing often, until beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Add thyme sprigs, vinegar, agave, 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, and reserved chile purée. Cook, stirring occasionally, until brick red and the consistency of a thick sauce, 6-8 minutes. Add shrimp and any juices and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; add butter and stir constantly until melted and sauce is glossy. Season with more salt if needed. Remove and discard thyme.
• Fill gorditas with shrimp mixture, onion, avocado, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

GORDITAS: STUFFED POCKETS OF LOVE RECIPE COURTESY AARON SANCHEZ

Steps:

• Mix flours, baking powder, and salt and add the warm water. Combine thoroughly to make a smooth dough. Make balls the size of a walnut, a few at a time. Set aside and keep covered. Moisten a cloth napkin and spread out on a flat surface. Roll each ball of dough in moistened palm of your hand until smooth, lay on the damp towel, cover with a plastic bag and press down to flatten. To shape the patty, cut with a 2 to 2 1/4-inch diameter cookie cutter. It should be about 1/4 inch thick. Smooth the rough edges with your finger making ready to fry. Heat a cast iron skillet, filled half way with corn oil, to 375 degrees F. Slide the patties into hot oil and fry until the light golden brown and crispy about 1 minute on each side. Drain on paper towels and make a slit on the side as soon as they cool enough to handle. Push 1 teaspoon of shredded cheese, chicken, and cabbage, and drizzle entire packet with Salsa Liquida. Salsa Liquida: 2 tomatoes 1 jalapeno, stemmed and seeded 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano Salt and freshly ground black pepper Submerge tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds and then plunge into ice bath. Peel and seed the tomatoes. Puree the tomatoes, jalapeno, garlic, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper.

GORDITAS

Steps:

• Combine the corn dough and 1 cup water, adding the water little by little until the dough is soft, smooth and doesn't stick to fingers.
• Take 3/4 cup dough and roll into a ball, then flatten into a 1/2-inch thick round disk. Place on a hot flat-top or in a cast-iron skillet for 4 minutes to form a crust. Flip and repeat on the other side.
• Using a knife, poke into the edge of the gordita, opening up one-third of the inside, making it into a pocket. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Set aside, covered, while making the filing.
• Pour the vegetable oil on the flat-top or in the cast-iron skillet. Remove the chorizo from its casing and crumble onto the hot oil. Cook for 1 minute, releasing the spices. Add the poblano peppers, garlic, tomatoes and onions. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Spread a spoonful of the refried beans inside a gordita. Add the chorizo/vegetable mixture and garnish with lettuce, sliced tomatoes and queso fresco.

CHEESE-FILLED GORDITAS

Steps:

• Mix masa, flour, baking powder and salt. Add shortening; mix with hands until well blended. Gradually add water, mixing after each addition until ingredients are well blended and mixture forms a ball. Divide dough into 14 equal-sized smaller balls; cover until ready to use.
• Flatten each ball into 5-inch round. Heat oil in heavy 12-inch skillet on medium-high heat to between 350°F and 365°F. Add gorditas; fry 3 min. or until crisp and golden brown on both sides; drain. Cool slightly.
• Cut a small slit in top of each gordita. Gently pull apart. Fill with remaining ingredients.