Homemade masa dough might sound intimidating, but doesn't have to be: prepackaged masa harina, the coarse flour ground from hominy that's already been slaked with lime in the traditional manner, makes its preparation a snap. Enriched with lard and lightened with baking powder, the dough makes a flavor-packed base for a variety of dishes, including Mexican tacos, gorditas, and sopes, as well as Salvadoran pupusas.
Why this recipe works:
- Prepackaged masa harina flour eliminates almost all the work of traditional from-scratch masa.
- Real lard brings rich, porky flavor to the dough (you can use oil if you prefer).
- All-purpose flour and baking powder guarantee masa that's light and tender, not tough and dense.
Note: Masa freezes beautifully. After forming gordita, pupusa, or sope shells, place extras on a baking sheet in a single layer for 1 hour, then transfer to a zipper-lock bag or airtight container and store in freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, arrange shells on a plate at room temperature for about 15 minutes, then proceed with recipe.
Recipe Details
Quick Masa Dough Recipe
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups masa harina
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup lard or vegetable shortening, melted, or vegetable oil
2 1/4 cups warm water
Directions
In a mixing bowl, combine masa harina, flour, baking powder, and salt and whisk to incorporate. Drizzle lard evenly over dry ingredients and whisk again util mixture forms pea-sized balls. Scrape dough from whisk. Add water and, using a wooden spoon, mix to thoroughly combine. Scrape dough from spoon and, using your hands, knead dough briefly, just until it comes together in a smooth ball, about 2 minutes. Cover bowl with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes before proceeding with any recipe.
This Recipe Appears In
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
144 | Calories |
5g | Fat |
24g | Carbs |
3g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 15 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 144 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 5g | 6% |
Saturated Fat 0g | 2% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 152mg | 7% |
Total Carbohydrate 24g | 9% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 6% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 3g | |
Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
Calcium 74mg | 6% |
Iron 3mg | 14% |
Potassium 74mg | 2% |
*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. |