Patrick Oconnell
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches that are almost as integral to Mexican street food as tacos. They are made with wheat bread rolls, such as telera or bolillo, and stuffed with various fillings. When it comes to cheese, in Mexico, you're likely to find your torta stuffed with Mexican cheeses like queso fresco, queso panela, queso Oaxaca, and cotija. In the US, tortas might be served with jack cheese, and cheddar, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend are also used.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese types | Chihuahua, Mozzarella, Oaxaca, Jack, Queso Fresco, Queso Panela, Cotija |
| Cheese characteristics | Stringy/shredded, Buttery, Melty |
| Cheese accompaniments | Meat, Sauce, Crema, Avocado, Salsa, Iceberg lettuce, Salad vegetables |
| Meat types | Steak, Chicken, Pork, Beef, Chorizo |
| Sauce types | Mayonnaise, Hot sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Chihuahua cheese is a popular choice
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches that are served on a soft roll and filled with meat, sauce, and various toppings. They are typically defined by the type of meat they contain, but what sets them apart from other sandwiches is the toppings. Popular toppings include crema, avocado, salsa, iceberg lettuce, and cheese.
Cheese is a popular topping for tortas. In Mexico, you're more likely to find your torta stuffed with Mexican cheeses like queso fresco, queso panela, queso Oaxaca, and cotija. In the United States, tortas might be served with jack cheese.
Tortas are very versatile, and you can use any cheese that you like. For example, mozzarella is a good alternative, especially if it's shredded.
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Oaxaca cheese is a Mexican favourite
Tortas are Mexican sandwiches, typically served on a soft roll and filled with meat, sauce, and various toppings. They are a relatively new addition to Mexican cuisine, requiring the use of wheat bread. Wheat was first introduced to Mexico by Juan Garrido, an African conquistador who fought alongside Hernán Cortés in 1521. By the early seventeenth century, there were 13 bakeries in Mexico City.
Tortas are usually filled with seasoned steak, mayonnaise, cheese, refried beans, and fresh vegetables. While some variations exist, such as the Torta Cubana, which includes almost every filling imaginable, from hot dogs to scrambled eggs, cheese is a common ingredient in most tortas.
Oaxaca cheese, also known as queso Oaxaca, is a popular choice for tortas in Mexico. It is a type of Mexican cheese made purely from cow's milk. Oaxaca cheese has a mild flavour and is known for its excellent melting properties, resulting in those desirable, long, stringy cheese pulls. While it may have a subtle taste, it pairs exceptionally well with the other ingredients in a torta, especially the chorizo, which amplifies the cheese's flavour.
Oaxaca cheese is a favourite among Mexicans for its versatility and ability to elevate simple dishes like tortas. It can be shredded or pulled, adding a delightful, gooey texture to the sandwich. When paired with ingredients like avocado, salsa, crema, and chilies, Oaxaca cheese creates a perfect balance of flavours and textures, making it a preferred choice for this traditional Mexican sandwich.
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Mozzarella is a common substitute
Torta is a Mexican sandwich served on a soft roll and filled with meat, sauce, and various toppings. While Mexican cheeses like queso fresco, queso panela, queso Oaxaca, and cotija are commonly used on tortas, mozzarella is also a popular substitute. In fact, mozzarella is a common substitute for Oaxaca cheese, as they are quite similar. Oaxaca cheese is known for its stringy, melty cheese pulls, while mozzarella can provide a similar stringy texture when shredded. Additionally, mozzarella can be made with buffalo milk, whereas Oaxaca cheese is made purely with cow's milk.
Mozzarella is a type of cheese that originated in Italy and is commonly used in pizzas and pasta dishes. It is known for its stretchy, stringy texture and mild, creamy flavour. When used in tortas, shredded or stringy mozzarella can add a similar texture and taste to that of traditional Mexican cheeses.
One of the reasons why mozzarella is a popular substitute for traditional Mexican cheeses is its accessibility. Mozzarella is widely available in many parts of the world, whereas some Mexican cheeses may be harder to find outside of Mexico or regions with a significant Mexican population. For example, Chihuahua cheese, which is commonly used in tortas, can be difficult to find in certain areas, as mentioned by a user in a discussion about torta toppings.
In addition to its availability, mozzarella is also a versatile cheese that can complement various toppings and fillings used in tortas. As tortas can be highly customizable, with fillings ranging from meat, such as steak or chicken, to vegetables like avocado, tomatoes, and chilies, mozzarella's mild flavour can adapt well to different combinations without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Overall, while traditional Mexican cheeses are commonly used in tortas, mozzarella is a widely accepted and popular substitute. Its similar texture and flavour profile to certain Mexican cheeses, coupled with its accessibility and versatility, make it a suitable option for those looking to create delicious and authentic-tasting tortas.
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Cotija is a traditional Mexican cheese
Cotija cheese is a popular choice for tortas in Mexico, along with other Mexican cheeses such as queso fresco, queso panela, and queso Oaxaca. In the United States, tortas might be served with jack cheese. Cotija cheese is a salty and crumbly Mexican cheese named after the town of Cotija in the Mexican state of Michoacán. It is made from cow's milk and has a strong, tangy flavour. The cheese is aged for several months, resulting in a hard texture that can be grated or crumbled over dishes.
Tortas are a popular Mexican street food, and they can be filled with almost anything. Some of the most famous regional varieties include Guadalajara's torta ahogada, which is smothered in salsa, and Mexico City's pambazo and torta de tamal. While the specific ingredients may vary, cotija cheese is a common choice for adding a salty, tangy flavour to tortas.
In addition to cotija cheese, other popular toppings for tortas include crema (either crema ácida or crema Mexicana), avocado, salsa, and iceberg lettuce. Tortas often feature a combination of meat, sauce, and toppings, creating a unique and delicious flavour profile. The type of bread used for tortas can also vary, with bolillos and teleras being the two most common types. Bolillos are torpedo-shaped rolls similar to soft baguettes, while teleras are flatter, softer, and rounder.
Overall, cotija cheese is a traditional Mexican cheese that plays a crucial role in the flavour and authenticity of tortas. Its salty and tangy flavour complements the other ingredients in tortas, making it a popular choice for this beloved Mexican sandwich.
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Crumbly cheese is good for texture
Crumbly cheese is a great way to add texture to a torta. A Mexican sandwich, tortas are served on a soft roll and filled with meat, sauce, and various toppings.
Tortas are typically defined by the type of meat they contain, but what sets them apart from other sandwiches is the toppings. Crumbly cheese is one such topping that adds a unique texture to the sandwich. In Mexico, you're more likely to find your torta stuffed with Mexican cheeses like queso fresco, queso panela, queso Oaxaca, and cotija. Of these, queso fresco, queso Oaxaca, and cotija are crumbly cheeses that can add texture to your torta.
Queso fresco, or "fresh cheese" in English, is a soft, crumbly cheese made from cow's milk or a combination of cow and goat milk. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavour and is often used as a topping for tortas and other Mexican dishes.
Queso Oaxaca, also known as quesillo, is a stringy, melted cheese made from cow's milk. It has a mild flavour and is often used as a topping for tortas, where it adds a creamy, stringy texture.
Cotija cheese is a hard, dry, and salty cheese that is often grated over tortas and other Mexican dishes. It has a strong, salty flavour and a crumbly texture that adds a nice contrast to the softness of the bread and meat.
In addition to crumbly cheese, other popular toppings for tortas include crema (sour cream or crema Mexicana), avocado, salsa, iceberg lettuce, and chilies. Tortas can be filled with almost anything, but the combination of crumbly cheese and other toppings adds a unique texture and flavour that makes this sandwich so popular.
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Frequently asked questions
In Mexico, you're likely to find Mexican cheeses like queso fresco, queso panela, queso Oaxaca, and cotija used on tortas. In the US, tortas are sometimes served with jack cheese. Cheddar, mozzarella, and crumbled cheese are also used.
Torta fillings vary, but popular options include seasoned steak, shredded lettuce, sliced peppers, refried beans, avocado, salsa, and hot sauce.
Tortas are typically made using two types of bread rolls: telera rolls, which are soft and flat, and bolillo rolls, which are oblong-shaped with a hard crust and soft interior.
Some popular types of tortas include the torta ahogada, which is from Guadalajara and features carnitas served on a salted sourdough roll, and the torta Cubana, which includes hot dogs, ham, egg, chorizo, and chicken or beef milanesa.
