**Dive into the tantalizing world of Torta Ahogada, where crispy bread meets a rich tomato sauce, tender meat, and a symphony of flavors.**
Originating from Guadalajara, Mexico, this iconic sandwich has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals and visitors alike. It begins with a bolillo roll, sliced in half and filled with an array of delectable ingredients. Carnitas, or slow-cooked pork, takes center stage, boasting a succulent and juicy texture. Beans, onions, and avocado add a medley of flavors and textures, while a sprinkling of cotija cheese lends a salty and tangy touch. But what truly sets the Torta Ahogada apart is its "drowning" in a vibrant and flavorful tomato sauce, transforming it into a culinary masterpiece.
In this article, we present a collection of recipes that pay homage to this beloved Mexican sandwich. From the classic recipe that stays true to the traditional flavors to variations that introduce new and exciting elements, there's a recipe here for every palate. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, immerse yourself in the flavors of Torta Ahogada and prepare to embark on a taste adventure that will leave you craving for more.
DROWNED BEEF SANDWICH WITH CHIPOTLE SAUCE (TORTA AHOGADA)
Served with a spicy beef broth for dipping, these roast beef sandwiches on crusty rolls - a variation on a traditional Mexican 'drowned sandwich' -make a hearty lunch or quick dinner.
Provided by bd.weld
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Combine chipotle cooking sauce, beef broth, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; saute onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir garlic into onion and cook for 1 minute. Add roast beef and 1/4 cup chipotle sauce mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Ladle remaining chipotle sauce mixture into 4 bowls for dipping. Spoon roast beef mixture onto the bottom half of each bun, top with a cilantro sprig, and place the top on each bun. Dip sandwiches into sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 569 calories, Carbohydrate 71.1 g, Cholesterol 55.6 mg, Fat 14.8 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 37.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 2008.7 mg, Sugar 5.9 g
TORTA AHOGADA (DROWNED BEEF SANDWICH)
Steps:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the chopped tomatoes with chiles, tomato sauce, cilantro, chipotles, adobo sauce, lime juice, and salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to gently cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- To prepare the meat filling:
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Cook and stir until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno, stirring to incorporate. Cook and stir for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the onions are well browned and the garlic and jalapenos soften. Add the meat and toss until heated through and well combined, about 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of the tomato sauce to the roast beef mixture, tossing to coat.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and add the broth. Using an immersion or standard blender, puree the sauce until smooth, it should be thin. Ladle the sauce into 4 bowls for dipping. Be sure the bowls are large enough so the sauce doesn't slop out when the sandwich is dipped.
- To serve:
- Spread the smashed avocado on the both side of the roll. Pile the meat filling on the bottom halves of the sandwich buns, close, and cut each sandwich in half. Arrange each sandwich on a plate with the dipping sauce on the side. Dip and eat!
TORTA AHOGADA
Steps:
- Cut the baguette open (not all the way), then spread the Puerco Beans inside, and stuff it with the Smoked Carnitas. Cut it in half for better handling purposes, place it in a bowl, and top it with the Tomato Salsa. Garnish with the Pickled Red Onions. Serve with the Spicy Salsa and lime wedge.
- Cook the pinto beans in a pot with 1 gallon of water and the salt until tender, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Set aside.
- Preheat another pot for about 2 minutes and add the lard. Let it heat for another minute, then add the chorizo and bacon. Let cook 5 minutes, then add the onion and serrano pepper and let it cook for another 3 minutes, stirring the mixture occasionally. Add the beer to deglaze, then let it reduce for 5 minutes.
- Grab the cooked beans and add them to the mixture. Let it boil, then add the pickled jalapeños and vinegar and bring it to boil, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and check the seasoning.
- Dice the pork butt into 2-inch pieces. In a pot, heat up the lard to around 350 degrees F (about 5 minutes). Add the pork butt pieces and sear them for about 7 minutes. Squeeze the juice of the orange into the pot, then drop the orange into the pot. Add the garlic, bay leaves, oregano, cola and salt, then turn it down to medium-low heat. Cook until the meat is tender, about 40 minutes, then add the liquid smoke and let cook for 5 more minutes. Strain the carnitas and enjoy.
- Remove the seeds and veins from the guajillo peppers. Put the peppers in a small pot together with the tomatoes, garlic and 3 quarts water. Place the pot on the stove and boil them until the tomatoes are fully cooked, about 10 minutes.
- Strain the vegetables, retaining their water, then put them in a blender. Add some of the vegetable water, covering the vegetables halfway, then add the salt, oregano, cumin, pepper and vinegar. Blend together and check the seasoning.
- Cut the onions in juliennes, then put them in a mixing bowl. Cut the beet into chunks and add them to the bowl. Add the vinegar, oregano, salt, cumin, pepper and 3 ounces water. Cover and let them sit overnight; check the seasoning.
- Put the chile pods, garlic and 1 quart water in a pot and boil for 10 minutes. Strain the chile pods and garlic, reserving the water. Blend them with the vinegar, salt, cumin, oregano, pepper and 8 ounces of the cooking water. Pass the mixture through a strainer. It is ready to spice up your life.
TORTA AHOGADA
Torta ahogada, which translates to drowned sandwich, is a staple across Guadalajara, Mexico. Birote salado is the bread typically used for this stuffed, smothered sandwich, partly because its salty sourdough flavor complements the fillings, but mostly because its crunchy exterior stands up well to ladles of hot salsa. If you're not able to get your hands on birote salado, you can substitute bolillo or a French baguette. The options for fillings are endless, and this version with creamy puréed pinto beans is ideal for a meatless meal. If you happen to have mushrooms, you can sauté them and add them to this torta for an extra-filling dish.
Provided by Jocelyn Ramirez
Categories dinner, lunch, sandwiches, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make the salsa: Combine the chiles, onion, garlic and tomatoes with 1 cup water and a generous pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Set over medium-low heat and simmer until the chiles are rehydrated and the other ingredients have softened, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer to a blender or food processor along with the apple cider vinegar (reserve the saucepan) and blend until completely smooth. Return salsa to the saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes to marry all the flavors. Taste for salt and adjust as needed.
- Meanwhile, prepare the onion: Toss the onion with the lemon juice, red-pepper flakes and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Let stand for at least 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the tortas: Combine the beans, red-pepper flakes, cumin, 1 cup water and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes. Once hot, carefully pour the mixture into the same blender or food processor used for the salsa (no need to wash in between uses) and blend until smooth.
- Heat a broiler to medium with a rack placed 6 inches from the heat source. To warm and crisp the bread, place the bread halves on a baking sheet cut sides down and broil until warmed through and slightly crusty on the outside, 2 to 3 minutes. Assemble the dish by spreading a thick layer of salsa on each of 4 serving dishes. Place the bottom pieces of bread on the salsa cut sides up and divide the beans, onion and bread tops among them. Ladle the remaining salsa over the sandwiches until they're completely soaked. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and lemon wedges, and serve.
TORTA AHOGADA (MEXICAN "DROWNED" SANDWICH)
Two sauces are offered: salsa dulce and salsa enchilosa. The former is not really sweet, but is´s basically tomato, water and cumin. The latter is flavored mostly with dried chiles de arbol toasted, soaked in vinegar and blended into the sauce.The most unique ingredeinte is the virote, which is a type of sourdough roll, crispy...
Provided by marty olguin
Categories Breads
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. Combine roma tomatoes, chiles, vinegar, pumpkin and sesame seeds, oregano, salt, cumin, allspice, cloves, and garlic in a blender, and purée until very smooth. Pour through a medium strainer into a bowl, discard solids, and stir in ¾ cup water.
- 2. Heat oven to 350°. Split roll and fill bottom half with pork. Place on baking sheet and bake until warmed through and bread is toasted, about 6 minutes. Add onion, radish, and top bun; pour chile de arbol sauce over sandwich, and let sit, so that the sauce soaks in.
TORTA AHOGADA (DROWNED BEEF SANDWICH)
Mr. Picky Eater claimed this to be the best sandwich he has had in the US. This is one good sandwich! You can adjust the heat to your taste by cutting back on the chipotles, or adding extra like I did. The recipe makes extra sauce so you may want to cut it in half, freeze some for later or leave it thick and serve some with chips. I'd also suggest adding extra avocado, cause it tastes so good. From Ingrid Hoffman.
Provided by cookiedog
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- To prepare the sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the chopped tomatoes with chiles, tomato sauce, cilantro, chipotles, adobo sauce, lime juice, and salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to gently cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- To prepare the meat filling: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions. Cook and stir until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno, stirring to incorporate. Cook and stir for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until the onions are well browned and the garlic and jalapenos soften. Add the meat and toss until heated through and well combined, about 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of the tomato sauce to the roast beef mixture, tossing to coat.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and add the broth. Using an immersion or standard blender, puree the sauce until smooth, it should be thin. Ladle the sauce into 4 bowls for dipping. Be sure the bowls are large enough so the sauce doesn't slop out when the sandwich is dipped.
- To serve: Spread the smashed avocado on the both side of the roll. Pile the meat filling on the bottom halves of the sandwich buns, close, and cut each sandwich in half. Arrange each sandwich on a plate with the dipping sauce on the side. Dip and eat!
SAUCY CARNITAS SANDWICH (TORTA AHOGADA)
Break out the napkins: this dish literally means "drowned sandwich" in Spanish, because it's drenched in a rich, spicy sauce. A delicious labor of love, this torta is stuffed with carnitas, a beloved Mexican pork dish in its own right.
Provided by Gabriela Cámara
Categories main-dish
Time 3h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- Carnitas: Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork cubes in an even layer, fat-side down, followed by onion, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, and ½ tablespoon salt. Add lard. Squeeze juice from orange wedges into the pot, then add the squeezed orange wedges. Reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 1½ hours, stirring occasionally to make sure the pork cooks evenly.
- Remove and discard the orange peels, big pieces of onion, and bay leaves. Increase heat to medium-high and continue cooking for 1 more hour, stirring more regularly as the fat renders out and the pork begins to look shredded and browned. When pork is fully cooked, taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed. Meanwhile, make the Salsa Ahogada.
- Salsa Ahogada: In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil until hot but not smoking. Add onion, garlic clove, and chiles; cook until onions are translucent, 8-10 minutes. Then add tomatoes, tomato paste, and water (omit if using canned tomatoes). Stir, then simmer until the tomatoes are cooked, 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat a comal or skillet over medium heat. When comal is hot, add peppercorns, cloves, allspice, and chile flakes to the hot comal. Toast for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to distribute the heat and prevent burning. After 30 seconds, remove from heat and add cumin, oregano, and bay leaves to the hot pan; keep stirring. (The residual heat will toast the additional spices.) Set aside to cool for 8-10 minutes. Then finely grind the spices and set aside.
- Ladle the cooked onion-tomato mixture into a blender, along with the ground spices, vinegar, and salt. Blend on medium speed to purée, 10-15 seconds. Place Salsa Ahogada back into the Dutch oven and simmer over low-medium heat for 10 minutes, or until salsa has thickened and reduced by about one-third. Remove and discard any tomato peels that have floated to the top. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed. Keep the Salsa Ahogada warm until ready to assemble and serve tortas. Makes about 4 cups. (Note: Salsa Ahogada can be made 1-2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator in a lidded container.)
- Assemble Torta Ahogada: Preheat broiler. Slice baguette/rolls lengthwise and broil, cut-side up, until toasted, 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, chop or shred Carnitas into small pieces. Spread about ¼ cup of the refried beans on one half of the toasted baguette, then top with about ⅓ of the Carnitas. Add sliced avocado in an even layer. Spread a lighter coat of beans on the other baguette half and place on top to make a sandwich. Slice into thirds and arrange on a rimmed serving plate or flat-bottomed bowl, cut-sides down. "Drown" the sandwich in Salsa Ahogada by ladling it all around and on top; garnish with pickled red onions. Assemble the other sandwiches and serve immediately (with lots of napkins!).
Tips:
- To make the perfect torta ahogada, start with a fresh and crusty bolillo roll. This will help the sandwich hold up to the flavorful sauce.
- Don't be afraid to adjust the spiciness of the sauce to your liking. You can add more or less cayenne pepper to taste.
- Be generous with the toppings. The more toppings you add, the more delicious your torta ahogada will be.
- Serve the torta ahogada immediately after it is assembled. This will prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- Enjoy your torta ahogada with a cold Mexican beer or a refreshing agua fresca.
Conclusion:
Torta ahogada is a delicious and traditional Mexican sandwich that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you are looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, give torta ahogada a try.
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