Tex-Mex Folar de Chaves

Ingredients

In the original Portuguese Folar de Chaves, the crust is typically made with wheat flour and the filling consists of cured meats, such as ham and chorizo. However, in this Tex-Mex adaptation, the crust incorporates cornmeal for a Tex-Mex twist and the filling is transformed into a flavorful mixture of ground beef, black beans, corn, and Tex-Mex spices. We alse have the original recipe for Folar de Chaves, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (80g) cornmeal 1/2 cup (80g) cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (120ml) water 1/2 cup (120ml) water
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1/2 cup (90g) black beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup (90g) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup (75g) corn kernels 1/2 cup (75g) corn kernels
• 1/2 cup (75g) diced bell peppers 1/2 cup (75g) diced bell peppers
• 1/2 cup (75g) diced onions 1/2 cup (75g) diced onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Nutrition

• Calories: 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat: 20g (Saturated Fat: 6g)
• Carbohydrates: 38g (Sugar: 3g)
• Protein: 23g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano.
3. 3.
   Add the vegetable oil and water to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   In a separate pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
5. 5.
   Add the black beans, corn kernels, bell peppers, onions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the cooked ground beef. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
6. 6.
   Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to form a large circle.
7. 7.
   Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. 8.
   Spoon the ground beef mixture onto the center of the dough, leaving a border around the edges.
9. 9.
   Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, creating a rustic crust.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cornmeal — Make sure to use fine cornmeal for a smoother texture in the crust.
• Ground beef — Opt for lean ground beef to reduce the fat content of the dish.
• Black beans — If using canned black beans, rinse and drain them before adding to the filling mixture.
• Bell peppers — Feel free to use a mix of different colored bell peppers for added visual appeal.
• Tex-Mex spices — Adjust the amount of spices according to your preference for spiciness.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add a diced jalapeño pepper to the filling mixture.
• Serve the Tex-Mex Folar de Chaves with a side of salsa or guacamole for extra flavor.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for a quick and delicious meal.
• Customize the filling by adding ingredients like diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, or chopped cilantro.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based ground meat alternatives.

Serving advice

Serve the Tex-Mex Folar de Chaves warm as a main dish, accompanied by a fresh green salad or Mexican rice.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro or parsley on top of the baked Tex-Mex Folar de Chaves before serving.