BELIZE: Air Fried Corn Tortillas (Salbutas) topped with Spicy Cabbage Slaw, Pickled Onions, and Shredded Chicken

We often buy tortillas from the market. There are tons of good options. But preparing salbutas took about 5 minutes of active cook time and made the meal feel so much more authentic. The addition of the annatto was amazing, in terms of both color and taste. While the toppings are a bit mix and match, I recommend the slaw for those who like crunch, and the onions for those who like some acidity and heat. Overall, this was balanced and bright and quite delicious.

Air Fried Corn Tortillas Salbutas

1 cube Goya Sazón with Annatto or sachet Maggi Chicken Bouillon with Annatto & Culantro

1 cup masa harina

¾-1 cups lukewarm water

½ teaspoon baking powder

large pinch kosher salt

1-2 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil for brushing before air frying*

Optional Toppings

shredded rotisserie chicken

sliced avocado

cabbage slaw (below)

pickled onions (below)

sliced radishes

sliced jalapeños

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the seasoning cube or sachet with some of the warm water. Add the masa harina, salt and baking powder. Stir together and add the remainder of the ¾ cups of water.

2. Knead the dough for about 2 minutes. If it appears too crumbly, add water one tablespoon at a time.

3. Divide the dough into balls, using approximately 2 tablespoons of dough for each. Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and press down with something heavy, like the bottom of a sauce pan.

4. Brush each salbuta with a thin layer of the oil on each side*. Air fry at 350° for 7 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 7 minutes.

5. Serve topped with the toppings of your choice.

*If you do not have an air fryer, you can fry in a few inches of oil heated to 350° in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, for about 60 seconds per side.

Cabbage

¼ small head of red cabbage

¼ teaspoon table salt

½ lime

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Slice the cabbage thinly and spread across the cutting board.

2. Sprinkle on the salt over the cabbage evenly. Squeeze the lime over the cabbage. If using cilantro, sprinkle that atop as well.

3. Scoop into a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

   
   

Quick Pickled Onions

½ cup apple cider or white wine vinegar

1 large red onion, thinly sliced

1–2 habanero peppers, thinly sliced

¼ teaspoon table salt

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Heat vinegar over medium heat in a small saucepan until boiling.

2. Add the remaining ingredients and turn heat to a simmer. Simmer 2 minutes*.

3. Remove from heat and store in fridge until ready to use.

   
   

*If making more than 2 hours ahead, no need to simmer, just remove from the heat and place in the fridge.

#tortillas #salbutas #airfryer #belize

FUN FACTS:

• Gibnut, a large rodent, is a przied meal in Belize. It is called the “royal rat” because it was served to Queen Elizabeth during her visit in 1985.

• Belize was known as British Honduras until 1973, when it gained independence from Britain.

• Belize is the only place in the world with a jaguar reserve: Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.