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Güirila
Güirila: sweet fresh-corn griddle tortilla with cuajada from Matagalpa
On the winding road north from Managua to Matagalpa and Jinotega, smoke from roadside griddles means güirilas: thick, sweet tortillas of freshly ground young corn, folded around a slab of salty cuajada and a spoonful of cream. The outside is lightly charred and the middle soft and custardy, a little like a corn pancake. Cuajada is a fresh cheese usually set with animal rennet; a vegetarian halloumi or fresh vegetarian cheese is a good swap. The most common mistake is a batter so runny that it spreads thin and tears when you flip it. Chef's tip: grind the corn in a blender in short bursts so a little texture remains, then stir in masa harina a spoonful at a time until the batter just holds a soft mound.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the güirilas
- 1 ⅓ lb fresh sweetcorn kernelsfrom about 5 cobs, or frozen and thawed
- 2 ⅛ oz masa harinaplus extra if needed
- 1 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅔ oz butterfor the griddle
To serve
- 7 oz cuajada or fresh white cheesecut into 8 slices; vegetarian if needed
- ½ cup soured cream
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Blend 1 ⅓ lb fresh sweetcorn kernels in short bursts to a thick, slightly coarse purée. Scrape it into a bowl.
Step 2: Stir in 2 ⅛ oz masa harina, 1 tbsp sugar and ½ tsp salt. The batter should sit in a soft mound on a spoon; add more masa harina a teaspoon at a time if it runs.
5 minStep 3: Heat a heavy frying pan or griddle over a medium-low heat and rub it with a little ⅔ oz butter.
Step 4: Spoon in about 3 tablespoons of batter and spread into a round 12 cm across and 1 cm thick. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the underside is golden brown with darker spots and the edges look dry.
4 minStep 5: Flip carefully with a wide spatula and cook for 3 minutes more, until springy in the middle. Keep warm under a cloth while you cook the rest, buttering the pan each time.
3 minStep 6: Lay a slice of 7 oz cuajada or fresh white cheese on each güirila, fold it in half, and serve with ½ cup soured cream on the side.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 15 g
- Carbs
- 44 g
- Fat
- 17 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does güirila take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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