Cachapas (Corn Pancakes)

 

Cachapas

 "Cachapas is a popular Venezuelan street food. They are corn pancakes stuffed with queso-de-mano meaning hand cheese. However, most people use mozzarella, I have used Edam slice cheese. You can use any cheese that is melty and stringy once heated. To make it more substantial, add any filling like avocado, ham slices or beans. I stuffed them with mortadella slices and cheese and served with a side of beans. For a vegetarian version, avoid the meat stuffing and add just cheese, serve with hot sauce".

Ingredients

3 cups canned corn, drained and washed

2 eggs

2-4 tablespoons masa harina, which is a type of coarse corn flour (P.A.N type), I have used wheat flour 

1 tablespoon cornflour

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

4 teaspoons butter - divided. Half for the batter and half to fry the cachapas

salt to taste 

water, if needed 

For the stuffing: 

a few slices of Edam cheese

a few slices of mortadella or ham

Directions

In a food processer add corn and blend till it forms a paste. Add the eggs and blend further. Add milk and blend. Add salt to taste, 2 tablespoons wheat flour and cornflour and blend. Add 2 teaspoons butter and sugar and blend. If the batter is too thick, add 2 tablespoons of wheat flour and blend. Transfer to a bowl and add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. If the batter is too thick, add some water. Mix well and keep aside for 1/2 an hour. 

Keep a non-stick pan on low heat and add some butter. When the butter melts, pour 2 ladle spoons of the batter onto the pan and spread with the back of the ladle. Add another spoon of batter and spread till it's a good size of pancake. Cover with a lid and let it cook on low heat for a few minutes. Open the lid and check to see if bubbles are forming and the underside is lightly brown. Drop 2 small knobs of butter on top of the pancake. Gently flip the pancake over and while it's cooking on the other side, start laying a couple of cheese slices and ham on to one side of the pancake. Flip the other side over it, the pancake should be golden brown. Once the cheese starts to melt, transfer to a plate and serve with hot sauce. You can also make a side dish of beans to make the dish more substantial. 

Watch this recipe video on Pinterest https://pin.it/6yKCI7WoX