When I was in college, I waited tables at a Mexican restaurant. After two years, I gathered up what little self-respect and dignity I had left and quit. There's nothing that will make you lose your faith in humanity more than being a waiter/waitress. Small tips, rude commands and being on your feet for long hours--wait, I'm I still talking about being a waitress or being a mom?
One of the most popular items on the menu were the sopaipillas. Okay, so maybe they were popular because they were free with a paid meal, but still, customers would request 2 or 3 baskets extra. I came across a recipe for them in an old Taste of Home magazine and thought my boys would love them. My 5 year old loved making them with me and watching them puff up like little pillows. And although you can eat them savory by filling them up with meat, beans and salsa, I like to bite a corner off and fill it with honey. Yum!
Sopaipillas (original recipe from Taste of Home)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 TBS shortening
1/3 cup warm water
cooking oil for deep frying
honey (optional)
powdered sugar (optional)
In a bowl, combing flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Gradually add water, stirring with a fork. The dough will be crumbly. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 3 minutes or until smooth. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll out into a 12 in. x 10 in. rectangle. Cut into 12 squares. Heat oil in a deep-fat fryer and fry sopapillas for 1-2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels; keep hot in a warm oven. Serve with honey or dust with powdered sugar.
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That seems like a very simple recipe and I know my son would love them. He is crazy about bread.
ReplyDeleteSo, how many times did you go to the bathroom and cry? Or was that just me?!
ReplyDeleteThose look delicious!
Sounds yummy! And let me just tell you -- Taste of Home is a beloved magazine in my home!
ReplyDeleteNope, Angie, I think all waitresses end up in tears at some point!
ReplyDeleteYummilicious, Ali!
ReplyDeleteMy daughters waited tables at one time or other in High School and College. I always remember that, when we leave tips. It would be nice if folks would remember. The girls depended on those tips, to help and I'm sure you did too!
I used to have such a lovely outlook until I served tables in college. It killed my nice side and now I am just a cynical old woman. People can be so mean! ;)
ReplyDeleteThose look yummy!
ReplyDeletewhen i was a waitress for a mecican restuarant. there was the special for 1.79 and my tip for the beans, rice cheese on one trotia was .17 cents and i had to wash the beans noone wanted to eat....do you know what it is like to wash dried beans from off a plates for 17 cents....and the mexicans bless their hearts would work there tails off in restuarants and like that and the turkey plants{smell} and i resented them beecause i didn't want no damned mexican to boss me them making .19 cents an hour for stripping guts off a turkey and me doing their bidding at 17 cents...pride is what that is by the way
ReplyDeleteYour waitress job sounds like you're describing my nurse job! HA
ReplyDeleteLove the sopa.. soai..um, fried puffy things...yum!
LOL!! I guess the waitressing was good training to be a Mom!??? or NOT! I often look at Waitresses and think that they would make good Nurses, because they also bend over backwards to please people! The Sopaipillas look delicious! Oh, and Angie, I went to the bathroom to cry plenty of times!! Allison, you are a very strong person, sticking out a job like that for 2 years! Some people would not last 2 hours in a job like that! :o)
ReplyDeleteOOo, I seem to recall once at a school function, one of the parents made these and they were AWE-SOME!
ReplyDeleteI love sopapillas! Catherine made them at her house once but I have never tried. I may have to try out your recipe.
ReplyDeleteThey look yummy. Woof!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a restaurant where they were free. That would be sweet! Anyway, they look really simple to make. I'll have to try it sometime. Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteSofa Pillows! I love these things and never see them at Mexican restaurants around here. (I live up on the North Oregon coast.)My ex and I lived in New Mexico for 4 years and I got quite used to eating these, just like you said. Rip off a corner and fill it with honey. Yum, brings back memories.
ReplyDeleteSopiapillas! I'm from New Mexico (but also live in Arkansas) and these are quite possibly my favorite food ever....then again, how can they not be? There is NOTHING in this world like a hot sopaipilla dripping with honey. It's the perfect accompaniment to a New Mexican meal of enchiladas, rice and beans! I try to make them at least once a month. Yours look delicious!
ReplyDeleteI love Mexican and LOVE Taste of Home!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit on my SITS day back on 10/29. I am STILL playing catch up!