Some people get motion sickness when they travel. Some people get hungry. I am among the latter.
The minute I step on whatever will transport me from one place to another, my mind swims through related food memories… and I just have to eat. So since I know I will have a craving for something other than a moist, soggy, chewy and never-ever crunchy baguette from the Amtrak train, and after being so spoiled with the food from El Chepe Train, I am packing my own Torta.
Torta (according to me…): A satisfying and delicious, self contained, easy to transport, edible package filled with tasty ingredients that just love to schmooze together.
I guess we owe a big part of the Torta to the French, since the bolillo or telera bread used to make them, is the Mexican adaptation of the French Baguette. Brought to Mexico City in the 1860s by Emperor Maximilian’s troupe of cooks, its use quickly spread out throughout the country. Maximilian ruled over Mexico’s very own, very last and very short-lived European Monarchy. Although it was unfortunate politically (he ended up executed for one thing…), it was blissful in a culinary sense.
When it comes to Tortas, I have eaten a fair share of variations. There are outstanding long established Torta stands and shops where I grew up, each with a peculiar signature twist. Moreover, my father is famous in our food-centered family for making blow-your-mind-away ones (his favorite has sardines, Mexican avocado, white onion and pickled Jalapeños).
But I think the best Torta I ever had (sorry Papi…) was in the state of Michoacán at the home of Diana Kennedy. Aside from an outstanding Torta maker, she is also one of the most respected authorities in Mexican cooking, and a woman whose books I have happily swallowed whole.
I ate Diana’s Torta almost ten years ago, when I was a production assistant for a PBS cooking series based in Texas. I traveled with the production team to different locations in Mexico, as each show focused on the foods of a specific region. There was of course one show about Diana and the food from Michoacán, her beloved and adopted home. She prepared many dishes to feature on the show and by the time lunch came, she assembled a Torta for each of the by then desperately famished members of the crew.
It tasted like a little piece of Michoacano heaven.
The bread, if freshly baked that day, doesn’t need to be toasted. Most of the ingredients Diana used were brought from the nearby Pueblo that morning, including the fresh cheese and the farm style ham. She had homemade refried beans and pickled Jalapeños which I think were the biggest treat of it all.
Here is how I assembled mine for today, in memory of Diana’s:
I sliced the bolillos in half, but since I bought them yesterday I toasted them slightly. On one side I spread home made pinto refried beans (I had leftover from sopes I made last night). On the other side, some fork smashed slices of avocado. Then went a layer of queso fresco or fresh cheese and one of smoked turkey (what could be found in my refrigerator), slices of tomato, onion, a very generous spoonful of Mexican style cream and a layer of homemade pickled Jalapeños, so packed, it seemed like a Torta wallpaper.
Right before adding the top half, I sprinkled a bit of salt, a habit I got from my father. It seems to help the flavors from all the ingredients shine through.
NOTE: For the bread you can use bolillo, telera, Portuguese rolls or small baguettes. the refried beans as well as the pickled Jalapeños can be homemade or there are excellent brands of already made ones at the stores.
Ingredients
- 2 bolillos teleras, Portuguese rolls or small baguettes
- 2 tablespoons refried beans
- 1/2 ripe Mexican avocado peeled and sliced
- 4 slices of queso fresco or fresh cheese farmers cheese, Oaxaca or Mozzarella
- 4 cups to 6 slices of turkey ham or 1/2 cooked shredded chicken
- 1 sliced and seeded tomato
- 2 to 4 thin slices of white onion
- 2 generous tablespoons of Mexican or any Latin style cream
- Pickled Jalapeños homemade or storebought to taste ( Jalapeños en Escabeche/Vinagre)
- Salt to taste optional
To Prepare
- Slice the bolillos in half lengthwise. If not fresh, toast them slightly for a couple minutes. On one side spread a tablespoon of refried beans and on the other mash 1/4 of an avocado with a fork. Top the base half with a couple slices of cheese, 2 or 3 slices of turkey, a couple slices of tomato and onion.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of Mexican style cream and crown your package with as many pickled Jalapeños as your heart desires. Sprinkle a bit of salt if you want. Place the top half and slice the Torta horizontally.
- Eat it or wrap it up so it may travel along with you.
Comments
13comments inI am packing my own Torta…
BlessedMama
Oct 13
Hi Pati, my kids and I love your recipes. Thank you for sharing them. Do you happen to have a Bolillo Bread or Pan Telera Recipe?
Pati Jinich
Oct 22
I don’t have a tested recipe yet, but will work on it! In the meantime, have you tried this amazing Pan de Yema? Enjoy! http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/pan-de-yema/
Martha Aragón
Aug 16
Pati, i am from Chihuahua and i miss bolillos so much. Do you have a recipe for the bolillos?
Pati
Aug 16
I don’t…but will try to work on one soon, Martha!
Patricia Dugger
Dec 23
I would love the recipe for tortas ahogadas Guadalajara style,I think it’s the best food for a spicy snack
Pati
Jan 03
They are a great snack! I will try to work on a recipe soon!
Crescencio Cruz
Sep 17
Hi Patti, I was born in Veracruz, Mex. But I live in Johnson City, TX since August of 2000 and I just saw your program las Saturday Sep. the 15th. And I saw this recipe, Mennnnn!!!! Something just fabulous to make, bad news is that here is a little town and can’t found bolillos but I will drive abut 1 1/2 hrs. to get this bread cause, since I saw this, I can’t sleep just imagine me eating this great tort as, thank you for your recipes and hopefully you stay for a many more years to come…
Be blessed… 🙂
Gladys
Jun 18
Coming from Michaocano parents, I crave tortas like you just couldn’t imagine. But where can you get some good bolillos in the DC area? Portuguese rolls or baguettes just don’t cut it…
Pati Jinich
Jun 18
Hi Gladys, so nice to meet a Michoacana in here! I have tried nice bolillos at Panam International, there is one on 14th st NW, corner with Parkway. I also like the ones they have at Shoppers… But I agree with you, they are not the same… however, you can ask in those stores at what time or which days they get or make them fresh, that’s your best bet! Also, you can give them a couple minutes in the toaster, to crunch them up a bit.
Last time I was in Michoacán I tried an unbelievable meat basted in a pasilla chile and tomatillo sauce. The woman who showed me how to make it, had your same name!!! I will post the recipe soon…
Karen
Jun 16
Pat : You just talk and my mouth waters ….
not only do you give us the most amazing recipes and tips but you offer a journey through the senses that are delightful to live !!
I’m your number one fan ….will log on tomorrow !!
karen
Pati Jinich
Jun 16
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I will have the next post ready for you in a couple days…
Miki
Jun 14
Dear Pati:
It seems not to long ago I thought I was making the best tortas ever. Wrong… I always said there is something magical about the way you describe food, so my comment is small, since now I have the urge to go and make me a torta.
Congratulations!
Miki
Pati Jinich
Jun 14
Papi!!! So nice to find you in here! I miss you so… Ok you are the best ever torta maker (after Diana Kennedy… ) Remember those gigantic tortas we used to eat en Valle de Bravo?? With country style pate and a side of pickles? I am coming to visit just to get one of those…