Making Belizean Salbutes

corn tortillas

🥗Healthier: whole wheat tortillas

💰Cheaper: flour tortillas

Whole wheat tortillas add fiber, while flour tortillas are often less expensive.

cooked chicken

🥗Healthier: grilled chicken

💰Cheaper: canned chicken

Grilled chicken is leaner, while canned chicken is budget-friendly.

refried beans

🥗Healthier: black beans

💰Cheaper: pinto beans

Black beans are nutritious, while pinto beans are often cheaper.

avocado

🥗Healthier: mashed peas

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Mashed peas provide creaminess, while sour cream is a cost-effective substitute.

Start by gathering all the ingredients: masa, chicken, cabbage, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, ricado seasoning, vinegar, salt, water, canned jalapeno pepper, and oil.

Season the chicken with all-purpose seasoning, onions, and cilantro. Use a pack of sasson goya ricado seasoning and a little oil in a hot pot.

Sear the whole chicken in the hot oil until browned on both sides.

Add the remaining seasoning, additional onions, water, and a whole jalapeno pepper. Cook down the chicken for approximately 1 hour, covered, until the meat is soft and tender.

After about 45 minutes, taste the chicken and adjust the salt or add additional seasoning if needed. Add oregano and any other spices you enjoy.

Once cooked, remove the chicken and shred it into smaller pieces, setting it aside for the salbutes.

In a small pot, prepare pickled onions by adding hot water, salt, vinegar, sliced onions, and jalapeno pepper. Cook this mixture for a short time until the onions are slightly softened, then set aside.

Shred the cabbage and mix it with salt, vinegar, and a little water to balance the sourness for pickled cabbage.

For the masa, use prepared fresh masa, adding ricado powder, salt, and warm water. Work the mixture into a dough, adding a little baking powder, until it has a soft texture.

Roll the masa into golf ball-sized portions and flatten each into a tortilla shape.

Fry the tortillas in hot oil until golden brown, ensuring the oil is very hot.

Once all tortillas are fried, begin assembling the salbutes by topping each tortilla with shredded chicken, pickled cabbage, diced tomatoes, pickled onions with jalapeno, and chopped cilantro.

For garnish, add additional jalapenos and cilantro on top of the assembled salbutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary