METHOD
Basic Steps: Mix → Knead → Rest → Portion → Roll → Pan-bake
In a large bowl, mix together the masa harina and water and knead well. Knead in more water, one tablespoonful at a time, if needed to make a moist, yet firm dough. (It should not crack at the edges when you press down on it.) Cover and set aside to rest 5-10 minutes.
Roll dough into a log and cut into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
Press a hole in each ball with your thumb. Put about 1 tablespoon of desired filling into each ball and fold the dough over to completely enclose it. Press the ball out with your palms to form a disc. Be careful that the filling doesn't spill out.
Line a tortilla press with plastic and press out each ball to about 5-6" wide and about 1/4" thick. If you don't have a tortilla press, place the dough between plastic wrap and roll it out with a rolling pin.
Heat an ungreased skillet over high heat. Cook each pupusa for about 1-2 minutes on each side till lightly browned and blistered. Remove to a plate and cover till all pupusas are done. Serve with curtido and salsa roja.
VARIATIONS
Pupusas can be made plain or filled with any number of ingredients. Following are some of the most popular.
Pupusas de Queso: With a cheese filling. Use grated quesillo, queso fresco, farmer's cheese, mozzarella, Swiss cheese or a combination. Add some minced green chile if you like.
Pupusas de Chicharrones: With a filling of fried chopped pork and a little tomato sauce. A reasonable facsimile can be made by grinding 1 cup of cooked bacon with a little bit of tomato sauce in a food processor.
Pupusas de Frijoles Refritos: With a refried bean filling.
Pupusas Revueltas: Use a mixture of chicharrones, cheese and refried beans.
Pupusas de Queso y Loroco: With a cheese and tropical vine flower filling. Loroco can be found in jars at many Latin markets.
Pupusas de Arroz: A variety of pupusa that uses rice flour instead of corn masa.
Cooked potatoes or finely minced, sautéed jalapeño peppers are also tasty fillings. Try a mixture of different fillings.
The above recipe uses masa harina, a special dried cornmeal flour used in making tortillas, tamales, etc. If you are able to get fresh masa, definitely use it instead. The flavor will be much fresher. Just substitute the masa harina and water with fresh masa. One pound will make about 4-6 pupusas depending on size.
NOTES
Pupusas are similar to corn tortillas, only thicker and often stuffed with cheese, beans or meat. The pupusa originated in El Salvador, but it is also popular in neighboring Honduras. They can also be found in large U.S. cities, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, that sizeable Salvadoran immigrant populations. Salvadoran restaurants that serve pupusas are called pupuserías.
So fundamental is this simple corn masa bread to the cuisine of El Salvador that the country has gone so far as to declare November 13th "National Pupusa Day."
Curtido, a type of coleslaw, is typically served with pupusas, along with a simple tomato sauce (salsa roja).
Pupusas are traditionally made by slapping the dough from palm to palm to flatten it out. I find the tortilla press to be quicker and easier for beginners.