Dinner Tonight: Huaraches with Black Beans and Radish Recipe

Updated August 09, 2018

Huaraches with Black Beans and Radishes on a white plate. — Nick Kindelsperger

Huaraches are flattened ovals of masa that get their name from the Mexican sandal. They are kind of like larger sopes without sides, and can be topped with just about anything. The first ones I encountered were straight-off-the-griddle from a cart in Parque El Llano in Oaxaca, Mexico. The tender huaraches were slightly blackened from the griddle, just like my favorite pizzas, and topped with a fiery salsa balanced by tender mushrooms and cream. I've been dreaming of them lately, so I really couldn't pass up this version of the dish from Rick Bayless's newest cookbook Fiesta at Rick's.

This isn't the easiest recipe. The black beans need to be stuffed delicately into masa, pressed out into an oval, griddled on both sides, then fried on both, too. It requires some practice to get the right feel for stuffing the beans, and even then the beans occasionally burst out the side when you flatten them on the tortilla press. But luckily, everything almost always turns out well.

I wish the same could be said about salsa. The recipe is paired with two: a three chile salsa and a roasted tomatillo salsa. Both are absolutely delicious but take some time and require a few too many ingredients. Luckily, Rick Bayless has a whole line of salsas available at most grocery stores, which helps cut down on salsa prepping time. Even with all my fumbling around with fresh masa, I was able to complete this in under an hour.

Recipe Details

Dinner Tonight: Huaraches with Black Beans and Radish Recipe

Prep 35 mins

Cook 20 mins

Total 55 mins

Serves 4 to 6 servings

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Ingredients

1 pound fresh corn masa or 1 3/4 cups dried masa harina for tortillas
Table salt
3/4 cup canned cooked black beans, drained
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups tomatillo or red chile salsa
2/3 cup grated queso anejo or queso fresco
2/3 cup white onion, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
3 to 4 radishes, cut into matchsticks
2 limes, cut into wedges

Directions

If using masa harina, mix with 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons hot tap water and 3/4 teaspoon salt and allow to hydrate for 5 minutes, covered with plastic wrap. If using fresh masa, combine with 3/4 teaspoon salt. Divide mixture into 8 balls. Cover with plastic wrap.
Add drained beans to food processor with 2 tablespoons water. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed until texture resembles masa.
Preheat heavy 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, form one ball masa into an egg shape. Using thumb, make deep, wide hole. Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons black bean mixture into hole. Pinch the masa up to enclose it and roll into a cigar shape. Place between two sheets of plastic and flatten gently with tortilla press or under heavy skillet until 1/4-inch thick. Carefully peel off top sheet of plastic. Flip the masa onto your fingers and peel the bottom sheet of plastic. Transfer quickly to skillet and cook until small lightly browned in spots, about 1 minute. Flip and cook until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside on plate. Repeat with other balls.
Pour enough oil into the skillet to generously coat bottom heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Slide two huaraches into skillet. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes and flip. Coat top side with 1 1/2 tablespoons salsa and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cheese. Cook one minute longer. Set aside and repeat with the other huaraches.
Top the huaraches with onion, cilantro, and radishes. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

Black Beans

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
387	Calories
23g	Fat
38g	Carbs
8g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	387
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g	30%
Saturated Fat 3g	17%
Cholesterol 9mg	3%
Sodium 829mg	36%
Total Carbohydrate 38g	14%
Dietary Fiber 6g	20%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 12mg	61%
Calcium 142mg	11%
Iron 4mg	21%
Potassium 398mg	8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.