Mexican Sopes and Watermelon Margaritas

So since I knew that my hubby would have to study I thought I would prepare a treat. Actually, I had a craving for some Mexican food, which, to be specific, I wanted sopes. Now what are sopes you may ask? Well, Google helped me with a great definition:

Definitions of sopes on the Web:

•A sope (pronounced "SOH-peh") is a traditional Mexican dish originating in the city of Culiacán, Si. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopes

•Miniature fried corn-dough bowls filled with beans and sauce and topped with cheese. Many varieties can be found.
www.texmextogo.com/Glossary.htm

I remember my mom and grandmother making this at one point, but I mostly remember trying them at this great restaurant in Houston called 100% Taquito.

I proceeded to mix and match ingredients I remembered my family using and what this restaurant used. I think the result was delicious!!!

Mexican Sopes

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2 cups instant corn mix (Masa preparada)

1 1/4 cup water

2 tsp salt

2 cups of shredded cabbage (red or green)

1/2 cup red onion, diced

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 lime, juiced

2 tomatoes, diced (I used heirloom tomatoes from the Farmer's Market)

3/4 cup fresh cheese (Queso fresco) I used this brand

1 can refried black or pinto beans

Salsa of your choice

First prepare the masa by mixing the instant corn mix, salt, and water in a mixing bowl. Let the dough sit for 5 minutes. Grab some dough and roll it until golf ball size. Press the dough on a mat or on your hand until flattened. Not the tortilla thinness, but a little thicker. Here is a picture:

You should then heat a pan on med-high with a 1/4 inch oil. Fry each dough pattie about 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Keep the corn patties warm by placing them on a baking sheet in the oven at 300 degrees F.

Warm the beans in the same pan after frying the patties and set aside.

Now comes the assembling of the sopes. Take one corn pattie and layer with 1 tablespoon beans. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon fresh cheese and then add the tomatoes. The cabbage salad is the last thing to add.

1. In a small bowl, add the cabbage, 1 tsp salt, red onion, and lime juice.

Here is the finished product:

Watermelon Margaritas

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3 cups of watermelon chunks

1 cup pineapple juice

1 lime, juiced

1 cup tequila

1 cup triple sec

ice and cocktail shaker

Blend the watermelon, seeds and all. Sieve the pulp and keep the watermelon juice. Add the rest of the ingredients and place in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour over ice and garnish with a lime wedge. Yummy results!