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Tetelas
Bean-filled masa triangles
Tetelas: Oaxaca and Puebla triangular masa parcels filled with black beans and cheese
In the Mixteca region between Oaxaca and Puebla, tetelas are folded into neat triangles on the comal and sold at village markets, often filled with black beans scented with avocado leaf and a little stringy quesillo. The masa turns toasty and slightly crisp outside while the filling stays creamy, and they are eaten with salsa as a snack or light supper. Quesillo is traditionally made with animal rennet, so pick a vegetarian stretched-curd cheese or a mozzarella labelled suitable for vegetarians. Chef's tip: fold the third side over last and press the seams with your fingertip so nothing leaks onto the comal.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 ¾ cups warm water
- ½ tsp salt
For the filling
- 4 oz Oaxaca cheese or quesillo (vegetarian)shredded
To serve
- ¼ cup Mexican crema or soured cream (optional)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Knead the 10 ½ oz masa harina (nixtamalised corn flour) with the ½ tsp salt and enough of the 1 ¾ cups warm water to make a soft dough that doesn't crack at the edges when pressed, 2–3 minutes. Cover with a damp cloth.
5 minStep 2: Divide into 12 balls and press each between two sheets of plastic into a 13 cm round, about 3 mm thick.
8 minStep 3: Spread 1 tbsp of 9 oz refried black beans, thick in a triangle in the middle and add a little 4 oz Oaxaca cheese or quesillo (vegetarian). Fold up three sides to meet over the filling, leaving a small open centre, and press the seams to seal. Thick, uneven folds are the usual mistake: they stay raw inside, so keep the round thin.
10 minStep 4: Cook on a dry comal over a medium heat for 4–5 minutes a side, until the masa is cooked through, firm and spotted brown, and the cheese has melted.
20 minStep 5: Serve hot with ¾ cup salsa roja or salsa verde and a drizzle of ¼ cup Mexican crema or soured cream.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 270 kcal
- Protein
- 10 g
- Carbs
- 38 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tetelas take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 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 refried black beans, thick?
- Kidney or pinto beans, same amount.
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