Description
Delicious and traditional Mexican sopes made from masa harina, fried to crispy perfection, and topped with creamy refried beans, queso fresco, Mexican crema, and fresh cilantro. A simple yet flavorful dish that is perfect for any meal and can be customized with salsa and shredded lettuce for added texture and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 2 cups masa harina (gluten-free if desired)
- 1 cup warm water (adjust as necessary for dough consistency)
- 1 teaspoon salt (enhances flavor)
Toppings and Filling:
- 2 cups refried beans (homemade or canned variety)
- 1 cup queso fresco (substitute with feta if necessary)
- 1 cup Mexican crema or sour cream (interchangeable with any sour cream)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro (optional; parsley can be used)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce (optional for added texture)
- To taste salsa or hot sauce (for added flavor)
Frying:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying, can use canola or sunflower oil)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine masa harina, salt, and warm water. Stir until you achieve a soft, pliable dough. Add more water if needed to prevent cracking.
- Shape the sopes: Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten it into a disc, roughly 3 inches wide.
- Dry cook the discs: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook each disc for 1-2 minutes on each side, just until lightly browned.
- Create rims: While the discs are still warm, carefully pinch the outer edges to create a shallow rim for holding toppings.
- Fry the sopes: In a separate skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the formed sopes for about 1-2 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Assemble the sopes: Spread a generous layer of refried beans on each sope. Sprinkle with queso fresco, drizzle with crema, and top with fresh cilantro and optional shredded lettuce.
- Serve: Serve your sopes warm, accompanied by salsa or hot sauce for an additional flavor kick!
Notes
- You can adjust water quantity for the masa dough to get the perfect consistency, soft but not sticky.
- For a healthier version, use less oil for frying or alternatively bake the sopes until crisp.
- Refried beans can be homemade or store-bought; adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Substitute queso fresco with feta cheese if unavailable.
- Fresh cilantro can be omitted or substituted with parsley for a milder taste.
- Add shredded lettuce and salsa just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
