I don’t really have much to say except that if you haven’t tried tortas before, you are really missing out. A torta is just a Mexican sandwich. At least that’s what I understand it to be. The first one I ever had was at a farmers’ market years ago and I have been thinking about them ever since.
Think of a sandwich on a crusty roll with refried beans, sour cream, cheese, cilantro, avocado and grilled meats. That’s a torta (at least that’s my kind of torta). Basically a burrito but on a roll instead of rolled up in a tortilla.
My hubby and I like our tortas with lunchmeat. That might sound weird and maybe doesn’t seem scratchy enough to be putting on my blog, but well, I’m doing it anyway. We like ham because its salty, but good chicken or turkey that you get in the deli would work too.
The rolls we like to use are called bolillo rolls and are super cheap at Albertsons around here. I haven’t seen them anywhere else, but you can use a kaiser roll or something similar that is crusty with a soft inside.
Here’s how we make our [American] Mexican tortas.
Start with the bread. Add refried beans.
Then cheese (grated or sliced).
A minute or two under the broiler to melt the cheese and toast the bread.
Spread some sour cream and a few dashes of hot sauce (Tapatio) on the other side.
Top that with plenty of cilantro.
Mash some avocado with garlic and salt, top the cheese with mashed avocado and sliced tomatoes. A little salt too.
Then goes the ham.
Torta. Ole!
Ham Torta
SERVES 2
A mexican sandwich. Hearty, simple meal. If you can’t find a bolillo roll, use a kaiser roll or a similar French roll.
Ingredients
- 2 bolillo rolls
- 1/2 cup refried beans
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or queso fresco)
- 3-4 Tbs Sour cream
- 8 thin slices ham
- 1 avocado
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 small tomato, sliced
- Hot sauce (we like Tapatio)
- Fresh cilantro
- Salt
Instructions
- Cut each roll in half lengthwise. Spread 1/4 cup of refried beans on one side of each roll. Top that with about 1/4 cup cheese. Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. On the other side of the roll, spread about 2-3 Tbs sour cream, then a few dashes of hot sauce to your liking. Place a handful of cilantro on top of the sour cream.
- Mash the avocado with the crushed garlic and a pinch of salt. Spread half this mixture on the cheese. Then top that with half the slices of tomato. Top that with about 4 slices of ham, depending on how big they are. Place the two halves together and repeat with the other roll.
Notes
Serve with coleslaw or a green salad.
