Garnaches

Garnaches are a popular Belizean street food made with crispy corn tortillas topped with refried beans, cheese, and tangy pickled onions. These delicious and easy-to-make snacks are perfect for a quick meal or appetizer. Try this authentic recipe to experience the flavors of Belize in your own kitchen!

Ingredients

For the Base:

• 10 small corn tortillas
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil for frying

For the Toppings:

• 1½ cups (340 g) refried beans
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup (100 g) shredded Dutch cheese (or any mild cheese)

For the Pickled Onions:

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (120 ml) vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon oregano

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pickled Onions

   In a bowl, mix vinegar, salt, sugar, black pepper, and oregano. Add the sliced onions and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Fry the Tortillas

   Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry each tortilla until crispy and golden brown (about 1-2 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

3. Prepare the Refried Beans

   Warm up the refried beans in a pan over low heat. Stir in salt, cumin, and garlic powder for extra flavor.

4. Assemble the Garnaches

   Spread a generous layer of refried beans over each fried tortilla. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Finish with a spoonful of pickled onions.

Serving

Serve immediately while warm. Garnaches pair well with hot sauce or a fresh side salad.

Belizean Garnaches are simple, delicious, and full of flavor. Whether as a snack, appetizer, or light meal, they are a great way to enjoy the taste of Belize at home.