Mexican dumplings: A spicy twist on a classic comfort food

Mexican dumplings provide a fantastic opportunity to experience this popular dish in a different version. They are distinguished by a spicy filling, most commonly made with minced beef and an assortment of vegetables, such as onions, sweetcorn, bell peppers, or red beans. In Mexico, they serve as a staple meal and are quite filling. They are often accompanied by spicy salsa or tomato sauce. You can enjoy them both hot and cold.

Dumplings with a Mexican twist typically involve meat, most often beef. However, pork or chicken can be used as substitutes, offering some flexibility in ingredient choices. The filling also incorporates aromatic spices such as basil, oregano, pepper, and salt to enhance the full flavour of the dish. They can be served with salads, which perfectly complement their bold character.

Ingredients for the dough

• 900 grams of flour,
• 400 grams of yeast,
• 2 egg yolks,
• 1 egg,
• 2 tablespoons of thick cream,
• 250 millilitres of milk,
• oregano to taste,
• oil,
• salt to taste.

For the filling:

• 1 chicken breast,
• half a tin of sweetcorn,
• 1 white onion,
• 1 red bell pepper,
• 450 grams of mushrooms,
• 1 tablespoon of mild ketchup,
• 200 grams of cheese,
• gyros seasoning to taste,
• egg for brushing the dumplings.

Method of preparation:

1. Begin by preparing the yeast mixture with the following proportions: 1 tablespoon of flour and cream, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Mix and let it rise in a warm place.
2. Add all remaining dough ingredients to the yeast mixture and let it rise again.
3. Start preparing the filling: wash, dry, and dice the chicken breast. Mix with gyros seasoning and fry in oil until golden brown.
4. Add ketchup, grated cheese, fried onion with mushrooms, finely chopped bell pepper, and sweetcorn to the cooled meat. Mix everything together.
5. Roll out the risen dough on a board, then cut out circles with a glass, place the filling in the centre, and seal the dumplings. Finally, brush them with the beaten egg.
6. Once the dumplings have risen a bit more, place them in an oven preheated to 200 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes. After baking, brush them with butter and cover with a cloth.