Eesha Kulkarni

Celebrities can have...er..unusual culinary preferences. Remember Jennifer Lawrence’s Pizza Chilli Sandwich? So it’s always a gamble when it comes to trying out our favourite celebrity’s go-to recipes, but if you’re a Leonardo DiCaprio fan, you’re in luck.

While he may be known for his iconic roles on the silver screen, his love for Mexican cuisine has ignited the internet with one surprising revelation: his go-to dish is not the popular taco, but the delectable Salvadoran creation called pupusas!

During an interview with the cast of Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, the question of favourite Mexican foods arose, prompting a surprising response from DiCaprio. While his co-star Brad Pitt sided with the ever-popular taco, DiCaprio proudly proclaimed his love for pupusas. As the words left his lips, the internet erupted with polarising opinions, while foodies clamoured to pick a team. If you ask us, we’re team food‒we don’t play favourites when it comes to delicious dishes – we love them all equally!

Coming back to the pupusa‒picture a thick, corn tortilla lovingly stuffed with oozing cheese, refried beans, or succulent meat fillings. The combination of flavours and textures within a pupusa is nothing short of extraordinary, making it an irresistible treat for food lovers.

Intrigued? Here’s the recipe!

Recipe: Cheesy Bean and Chorizo Pupusas

Ingredients

2 cups Masa Harina (Corn Flour)

1 ½ cups Warm Water

1 cup Refried Beans

½ cup Crumbled Chorizo

1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Salt, to taste

Oil, for cooking

Method

1. In a mixing bowl, combine masa harina and warm water. Knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough. Add a pinch of salt for flavour.
2. Divide the dough into golf ball-sized portions. Flatten each ball slightly in the palm of your hand.
3. Place a spoonful of refried beans, a sprinkle of crumbled chorizo, and a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese in the centre of one flattened dough ball.
4. Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the filling, sealing it well. Gently pat the ball back into a thick tortilla shape.
5. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil. Cook each pupusa for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
6. Serve hot with your favourite salsa, guacamole, or curtido (a tangy cabbage slaw).