Published: 07/13/2013 - Updated: 01/25/2017
Author: Nayeli Reyes3 Comments
The "huitlacoche" is a fungus that grows on corn, but is far from being as a harmful parasite. In Mexico it is often used as an ingredient in cooking.
This fungus also brings many health benefits: It strengthens the immune system and helps lower cholesterol. It provides soluble fibre which helps maintain a balance of fats in the digestive process. It is also known for its antioxidant properties which help our body regenerate and boost collagen.
Another advantage is that 50 grams of huitlacoche contributes only 62 calories, so it is also good to include in light diets.
With it you can prepare many different dishes, but here are a few ideas of how to use this unique ingredient in your cooking:
Contents
1. Huitlacoche cream
Ingredients
- 1 can of huitlacoche
- 1 tsp. of Broth powder
- 2 cups of Milk
- 1 cup of cream
- 1 tsp. of Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp. of Water
- ½ tsp. of Pepper
- Croutons
Procedure
- Blend huitlacoche, cream, milk, broth and pepper.
- Bring to the boil over medium heat
- Dissolve the starch with water and add to the mixture.
- Beat until thick and serve accompanied with croutons.
2. Huitlacoche soufflé
Ingredients
- 250 gr. of Huitlacoche
- ½ onion
- ½ cup of chicken broth
- 1 clove of garlic
- Serrano chili * optional
- Salt and pepper * enough
- 2 tsp. of Vegetable oil
- 5 Eggs
- 100 gr of Parmesan Cheese
- 1 cup of Bechamel sauce
For the bechamel:
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- 20 gr. of butter
- 20 gr. of flour
- 1 cup of Milk
- Salt and pepper * enough
- 1 pinch of nutmeg
Procedure
For the bechamel:
- Melt the butter in a pan.
- Add flour and stir to form a paste.
- Heat the milk in a saucepan and add the flour mixture with butter.
- Add salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- Cool and set aside.
For the souffle:
- Chop the pepper, onion and garlic finely.
- Chop the huitlacoche into medium pieces.
- Sauté the onions, add the garlic and chili and cook for a couple minutes.
- Add the huitlacoche, salt and pepper and cook until soft.
- Add the stock and reduce for 5 minutes.
- Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
- Beat egg whites until stiff.
- Mix the bechamel with cheese and yolks.
- Add the stew of huitlacoche.
- Wrap with the egg whites.
- Fill soufflé molds to ¾ full, rest for 10 minutes and bake for 25 minutes at 180°C.
3. Huitlacoche Pizza
Ingredients
-
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- 1 base for pizza dough (500 gr.)
- 300 gr. of huitlacoche
- ½ cup of cream
- 350 gr. of mozzarella
- ½ onion
- 1 tbsp. of Epazote
- ½ cup of Yellow Corn
- 1 tomato
- 1/2 a courgette (zucchini)
Procedure
- Blend huitlacoche with cream and corn. Set aside a small amount of the huitlacoche for decoration.
- Chop the tomatoes and zucchini into thin slices.
- Place cream with huitlacoche on the pizza base
- Add the mozzarella cheese.
- Add the tomato slices, zucchini, corn kernels and huitlacoche.
- Finely chop the epazote and sprinkle on the preparation.
- Bake at 190 ° C for about 30 minutes or until the pizza is golden brown.
4. Huitlacoche Corn Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 500 gr of huitlacoche
- 250 gr. of grated Manchego cheese
- 3 cups of Vegetable broth
- ½ onion
- 1 tbsp. of Epazote
- 1 garlic
- Salt and pepper * enough
- ½ kg. of Cornmeal
- 50 gr. of Butter
Procedure
- Chop the garlic and onion finely.
- Sauté in a little oil.
- Add the huitlacoche and epazote, cook until tender.
- Add the vegetable broth and let reduce for a few minutes, season with salt and pepper.
- Combine the dough with salt, pepper and previously melted butter until it forms a manageable dough.
- Form the dough into quesadillas using a press or two sheets of silicone paper and a wafer roll.
- Place the preparation of huitlacoche and some cheese on the quesadilla, close at the crescent and press down the edges.
- Fry in oil until firm.
About the author
Henry
Never heard about it? and I have visited Mexico a couple of times, but I have missed this ingredient, I have no idea of the form or the smell but sound like a good ingredient for being a fungus, I mean ,I?m not a totally fan of the mushrooms and fungus, but I?m a huge lover of trying new things so
Stacy
I too have never heard of it, but I haven’t ever visited Mexico. We’re planning a trip to Mexico later this fall, so I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for it. I’ve actually printed off these recipes here, so I’ll be taking this one, and then you guys havea couple of other traditional mexican recipes that call for ingredients that aren’t sold here, I’ll take those too.
Emily
Coming from Central Europe, I have never heard of this ingredient and I think it will be very near impossible to get a hold of it without having to order online – Can you suggest any alternatives? Apart from that, these recipes sound simply delicious and I would absolutely love to try all of them! Maybe one day if I ever visit Mexico or Central America…