Memelas

Method

1. 1 Knead the masa dough with warm water and salt, then press it into an oval disc 12 cm long and 6 mm thick.
2. 2 Grill on a dry cast iron skillet for 3 minutes on each side, then pinch up the long edges on both sides while still hot.
3. 3 Spread pork fat on the inside of the rice cake while it's still hot; pork fat is a characteristic ingredient of Oaxaca memela.
4. 4 Cook black beans until tender with epazolate, then mash and stir-fry until thickened.
5. 5 Spread the mashed beans inside the boat and bake for another 2 minutes.
6. 6 Roast dried chilies and blend them with tomatoes to make a sauce, then pour it over the bread and sprinkle with fresh cheese and onions.

With an appliance

• Oven 43 min

  Replace step 2: spray the surface of the memela with oil, bake on the middle rack at 220 degrees for 8 minutes and flip after 4 minutes; the cake will cook more evenly but will lack the pungent flavor, pinch the edges while it's still soft.