One of the greatest pleasures of Mexican street food are sopes: round bundles of masa lightly fried and piled with refried beans, shredded chicken, salsa roja or salsa verde, and cotija cheese. These little antojitos, or snacks, can be eaten for lunch during the day, or make for perfect anytime party apps too.
SALSA ROJA
REFRIED BEANS
SOPES & ASSEMBLY
SALSA ROJA
Step 1
Arrange a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 400°. Line a small baking sheet with foil. Place tomatoes on prepared sheet.
Step 2
Roast tomatoes until softened and blistered, about 30 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
Step 3
In a blender, pulse tomatoes, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and chili powder until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl; set aside until ready to use.
REFRIED BEANS
Step 1
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until onion is lightly golden and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Step 2
Stir in beans, salt, and cumin. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Using the back of a fork, roughly mash beans; set aside until ready to use.
SOPES & ASSEMBLY
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine masa, water, and salt. Using your hands, shape dough into a ball.
Step 2
Divide dough into 6 (2.5-oz.) pieces. Using a tortilla press or a flat plate, pie dish, or skillet, flatten dough into 1/2"-thick rounds 3 1/2" to 4" in diameter.
Step 3
In a medium cast-iron skillet or comal over medium-high heat, cook 2 rounds at a time, turning once, until barely golden and still pliable, 1 to 2 minutes per side; a light skin will form and begin to look like a tortilla. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Using your pointer fingers and thumbs, form a 1/4"- to 1/2"-high border around sope. Repeat with remaining dough.
Step 4
In same skillet or comal over medium heat, heat oil until an instant-read thermometer registers 325°. Cook 3 sopes at a time, turning once, until lightly golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
Step 5
Build sopes with chicken, lettuce, onion, cotija, crema, radishes, beans, and salsa.