Honduran Baleadas Recipe

Baleada Filling Ingredients:

• refried beans
• consommé de Pollo
• scrambled egg per tortilla
• Honduran cheese crumbles (queso fresco is a good substitute)
• Crema (sour cream thinned with lime juice)
• Green avocado slices
• Pickled onions

How to Make the Tortillas for Baleadas

1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
2. Cut in the shortening. Use your fingers to work the shortening into the flour mixture until it forms small, pea-sized crumbs.
3. Add water. Add water ¼ cup at a time, mixing until the dough comes together into a ball. You may not need all of the water.
4. Knead the dough. Work the dough with the heel of your hand until it's smooth and holds together.
5. Divide and rest. Roll the dough into a log, then cut it into 12 equal portions. Cover and let the dough rest for at least 1 hour at room temperature.

The dough can be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours if you want to make it ahead.

How to Cook the Tortillas

1. Heat your pan. Heat a cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Shape the tortilla. Using the palms of your hands, flatten one portion of dough into a circle, then continue pressing with your fingertips until it's an even, flat round.
3. Cook the tortilla. Place the tortilla in the hot pan and cook until it's lightly puffed and cooked through on each side, with light golden spots. Don't let it cook to a crisp; you want it soft enough to fold.

How to Make the Refried Bean Filling

Traditionally the beans are started with clean, dry beans, covered with water and cooked until soft. Also add onion, green pepper, cayenne and consommé de pollo in the pan. But I don't always have time to make fresh beans so I make my beans this way:

1. Warm the beans. Combine a can of refried beans with ½ cube of consommé de pollo in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until warmed through.
2. Adjust the consistency. If the beans seem thick, stir in a splash of water until they reach a spreadable consistency.

How to Assemble Your Baleadas

1. Warm the tortilla. Heat a tortilla in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side, just until warm and pliable.
2. Add the beans. Spread a layer of warm refried beans across the center of the tortilla.
3. Add the egg and cheese. Top the beans with scrambled egg and a sprinkle of Honduran cheese crumbles (or queso fresco). Scramble your eggs until fully set with no runny egg remaining; this is the base filling for a simple baleada.
4. Add your toppings. From here, baleadas are yours to build. A few favorites:
   Sliced avocado for a creamy, cooling bite A drizzle of crema or thinned sour cream My pickled onions for a tangy crunch.
5. Fold and serve. Fold the tortilla in half and serve warm.

What Else Can I Add to My Baleadas?

If you want to switch things up, try mantequilla rala (a thin, creamy butter), chorizo, or queso duro (a firm white cheese) as additional fillings.

Aside from red beans and sour cream, what other fillings can I add to the tortilla?

To enhance your baleadas, consider incorporating mantequilla rala (creamy butter), chorizo (spiced sausage), and queso duro (hard white cheese) as additional fillings.