Andy Montoya
Torta, the Mexican sandwich, is a delicious meal that is usually filled with seasoned steak, refried beans, and cheese. The type of cheese used for tortas varies depending on the region. In Mexico, popular choices include queso fresco, queso panela, queso Oaxaca, and cotija. In the United States, tortas are often served with jack cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, or a Mexican cheese blend. The bread used for tortas, known as telera or bolillo, is an essential component of this sandwich, providing a crusty exterior for a fresh and healthy meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese used | Oaxaca cheese, Panela cheese, Mozzarella, Halloumi, American cheese |
| Tortilla type | Telera, Bolilo, Ciabatta |
| Other toppings | Avocado, Beans, Mayonnaise, Tomatoes, Pickled jalapenos, Chipotle sauce, Lime juice, Onions, Chilies, Chorizo, Salsa |
| Meat | Chicken, Beef, Pork, Ham, Turkey, Hot dog, Sausage |
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What You'll Learn
Oaxaca cheese is the traditional choice
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches that are piled high with meats, vegetables, and other toppings. The type of bread used for tortas is typically a soft roll with a crunchy exterior called bolillo or telera.
Tortas are often filled with sliced meats, sliced cheeses, stewed meats, refried beans, avocado, grilled meats, grilled veggies, and creamy spreads. While there are many options for cheese, Oaxaca cheese is the traditional choice.
Oaxaca cheese, also known as queso Oaxaca, is a semi-soft white cheese with a stringy texture similar to mozzarella. It is named after the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, where it is believed to have originated. Oaxaca cheese is made from cow's milk and has a mild, slightly tangy flavor. It melts easily, making it ideal for tortas.
When using Oaxaca cheese for tortas, it is typically shredded or sliced and placed between the layers of meat, beans, and vegetables. The sandwich is then heated in the oven or on a grill to melt the cheese and toast the bread.
If you cannot find Oaxaca cheese, mozzarella cheese can be used as a substitute, as it has a similar texture and melting properties. However, Oaxaca cheese has a slightly higher melting point than mozzarella, so be careful not to overheat it, as it can become stringy and tough if melted too much.
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Mozzarella is a good substitute
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches that are piled high with meats, vegetables, and other toppings. The type of bread used for tortas is typically a crusty bread called bolillo or telera. Bolillos are fluffy, soft rolls with a crispy exterior, while teleras rolls are flatter, softer, and scored twice lengthwise.
Tortas are typically filled with sliced meats, sliced cheeses, stewed meats, refried beans, avocado, grilled meats, grilled veggies, and creamy spreads. Some popular meat fillings include sliced pork, chicken, or beef, as well as breaded meat such as chicken milanese.
When it comes to cheese, Oaxaca cheese is commonly used in traditional tortas. However, if you don't have access to Oaxaca cheese, mozzarella is a good substitute. Mozzarella is a soft, stretchy, and mildly flavoured cheese that can complement the other ingredients in a torta well. Its stringy texture can add a nice mouthfeel to the sandwich.
To elevate your torta, you can try broiling the mozzarella cheese to get it nicely melted before adding the rest of the toppings. This can enhance the flavour and texture of the cheese, making it even more enjoyable. Additionally, feel free to experiment with different types of mozzarella, such as fresh mozzarella or smoked mozzarella, to find your preferred taste and texture.
Overall, while Oaxaca cheese is traditional, mozzarella is a suitable alternative that can still make your torta delicious and enjoyable.
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Halloumi is a super-firm option
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches that are piled high with meats, vegetables, and other toppings. The type of bread traditionally used for tortas is called telera or bolilos. Bolilo bread is fluffy and soft with a crunchy exterior.
Tortas can be filled with anything from sliced meats, sliced cheeses, stewed meats, Milanese (breaded meat), refried beans, chorizo, avocado, grilled meats and vegetables, and creamy spreads.
When it comes to cheese, you can use Oaxaca cheese, which is a type of Mexican cheese that melts well and has a creamy texture. However, if you're looking for a super-firm cheese option that can be grilled or cooked without melting, halloumi is a perfect choice. Halloumi is a semi-hard, brined cheese that has a high melting point, making it ideal for grilling or frying. Its salty flavour and firm texture can add a unique twist to your torta.
Halloumi is a versatile cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or fried and added to your torta. Its firm texture means it won't melt and create a mess, but it will still provide a delicious, savoury flavour. You can pair it with other toppings such as avocado, refried beans, pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, or onions to create a flavourful and satisfying torta.
So, if you're looking for a cheese that will add a crispy, grilled element to your torta without melting into a gooey mess, halloumi is definitely the way to go. Its firm texture and savoury taste will elevate your torta and make it a unique and tasty treat.
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Panela is another popular choice
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches that are piled high with meats, vegetables, and other toppings. They are typically made with crusty bread called bolillo, which has a soft, fluffy interior and a crispy exterior. Tortas can be filled with sliced meats, sliced cheeses, stewed meats, refried beans, avocado, grilled meats, grilled veggies, and creamy spreads.
Cheese is a key ingredient in a torta, and while Oaxaca cheese is commonly used, panela is another popular choice. Panela is a super-firm cheese that can be grilled or cooked without melting, similar to halloumi. It has a mild flavour that pairs well with other ingredients and helps to hold the sandwich together.
When making a torta with panela cheese, you can start by slicing the bolillo bread in half lengthwise. Spread mayonnaise on each slice, then layer on avocado slices or shingles. Top the avocado with panela cheese, adding as much as you like. You can also include other ingredients such as pickled jalapeños, raw white onion rings, or tomatoes for added flavour and texture.
If you want to include meat in your torta, options like shredded pork, chicken, or beef go well with panela. You can also add proteins such as pierna (thick-cut roast pork leg with a scarlet marinade), turkey ham, regular ham, or fried breaded cutlets of beef or chicken.
Whether you're a cheese lover or simply looking for a delicious and hearty sandwich, a torta with panela cheese is a great option to satisfy your cravings.
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American cheese is also used
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches that are piled high with meats, vegetables, and other toppings. They are typically made with crusty bread called bolillo or telera. While Oaxaca cheese is commonly used in tortas, American cheese is also a popular option.
American cheese is a type of processed cheese that is widely available and has a mild, creamy flavour. It has a smooth and creamy texture that melts easily, making it ideal for use in grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, and, of course, tortas. When used in tortas, American cheese adds a creamy and savoury element that complements the other ingredients well.
Tortas can be filled with a variety of meats, including sliced meats, stewed meats, grilled meats, and breaded meats such as chicken milanese. They can also include vegetables like avocado, onions, tomatoes, and pickled jalapeños. American cheese pairs well with these ingredients, providing a creamy and savoury contrast to the other textures and flavours in the sandwich.
When making a torta with American cheese, it is important to consider the texture and flavour profile you want to achieve. American cheese can be sliced or shredded and added to the torta in various amounts to suit your preference. It can be melted or left unmelted, depending on the desired texture and how you plan to serve the torta.
American cheese is a versatile and convenient option for tortas, as it is readily available and easy to work with. It can be combined with other cheeses or used on its own, depending on your taste preferences and the other ingredients in your torta. Its mild flavour makes it a good choice for those who want the creaminess of cheese without an overpowering flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
A torta is a Mexican sandwich, typically made with telera or bolillo bread, and filled with seasoned steak, refried beans, and cheese.
In Mexico, popular cheeses for tortas include queso fresco, queso panela, queso Oaxaca, and cotija. In the US, jack cheese is sometimes used. Cheddar, mozzarella, and other Mexican blends are also good options.
Torta sandwiches are often served with avocado, sliced or mashed into guacamole. You can also add salsa, shredded lettuce, sliced peppers, and hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Telera or bolillo bread is traditionally used for tortas. Telera bread is rounder, while bolillo bread is more football-shaped.
Torta ahogada is a style of torta from Guadalajara, Jalisco, made with carnitas served on a birote salado (sourdough roll). Other popular types include torta de lomo (pork loin), torta de chorizo, and torta de pavo (turkey).
