Honduran Baleada Recipe

Ingredients

• For the tortillas: For the tortillas:
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 2 cups (400g) cooked refried beans 2 cups (400g) cooked refried beans
• 1 cup (120g) crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese 1 cup (120g) crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• Honduran crema or sour cream, for drizzling Honduran crema or sour cream, for drizzling
• Pickled onions, for topping Pickled onions, for topping
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional) Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
• Optional toppings: Optional toppings:
• Sliced tomatoes Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced jalapenos Sliced jalapenos

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 12g (6g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 48g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt for the tortillas.
2. 2.
   Add the vegetable oil and warm water to the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape each portion into a ball.
5. 5.
   Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
6. 6.
   Roll out each dough ball into a thin circle, approximately 6-8 inches in diameter.
7. 7.
   Cook the tortillas on the skillet for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and puffed.
8. 8.
   Remove the tortillas from the skillet and keep them warm.
9. 9.
   To assemble the Baleadas, spread a generous amount of refried beans onto each tortilla.
10. 10.
    Sprinkle crumbled cheese over the beans and add avocado slices.
11. 11.
    Drizzle with Honduran crema or sour cream and top with pickled onions.
12. 12.
    Optional: Add sliced tomatoes, jalapenos, and fresh cilantro for extra flavor.
13. 13.
    Fold the tortillas in half and serve immediately.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Avocado — Choose ripe avocados that are slightly soft to the touch. To prevent browning, drizzle the avocado slices with lemon or lime juice.
• Pickled onions — If you don't have pickled onions, you can thinly slice red onions and soak them in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt for 30 minutes before using.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add sliced jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
• Experiment with different types of cheese, such as queso blanco or cheddar, to vary the flavor.
• If you prefer a thinner tortilla, roll out the dough balls into larger circles.
• Serve the Baleadas with a side of salsa or hot sauce for extra heat.
• To make the dish heartier, you can add cooked meat such as shredded chicken or beef to the filling.

Serving advice

Serve the Baleadas warm and folded in half. They can be enjoyed as a standalone meal or accompanied by a side salad or rice.

Presentation advice

Arrange the folded Baleadas on a platter, garnishing them with fresh cilantro leaves and a drizzle of Honduran crema. Serve with pickled onions on the side for an attractive and appetizing presentation.