Onion, Chipotle, and Epazote Turnovers

Onion, Chipotle, and Epazote Turnovers

Empanadas de Cebolla, Chipotle y Epazote
These turnovers have a vegetarian filling sealed inside a rich flaky pastry. Make picnic-size 4-inch turnovers, or cut small pastry circles for cocktail appetizers.
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Ingredients

Makes 16 4-inch turnovers

  • Savory Pastry Dough for Turnovers
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large 8-ounce red onion, very finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 2 canned chipotles en adobo seeded and mashed
  • 1 tablespoon chopped epazote leaves

Instructions

  • Prepare the dough.
  • Cover and refrigerate while making the filling.
  • In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and cook the onion, stirring frequently until very soft and all juices have cooked away, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the salt, chipotles, and epazote.
  • Cook for 1 minute.
  • Transfer to a plate and cool completely.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Place half of the reserved dough on a floured board and roll out thin.
  • Cut into 4-inch circles.
  • Gather the scraps and re-roll.
  • Put 1 tablespoon of the filling on each circle and fold in half.
  • Moisten the edges with water and crimp with a fork or fingers to seal.
  • Place on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Brush the tops with beaten egg white and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  • Cool on a rack.
  • Repeat rolling, filling, and baking with the remaining half of the dough.
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Course; Sandwiches
Cuisine; Mexican
Diets; Vegetarian

Mexican Sausage Turnovers

Mexican Sausage Turnovers

Empanadas de Chorizo
Spicy chorizo is an excellent filling for substantial savory empanadas. You can make chorizo from the recipe for Mexican Pork Sausage, or purchase a good-quality chorizo. Serve the turnovers warm with crisp-cut jicama, cucumber sticks, and icy cold beer.
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Ingredients

Makes 16 turnovers

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • ½ medium onion finely chopped
  • ½ pound fresh bulk chorizo or packaged, with casings removed
  • Savory Pastry Dough for Turnovers

Instructions

  • Prepare the dough.
  • Cover and refrigerate while making the filling.
  • In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and cook the onion, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the chorizo breaking it into small pieces and cook until brown and well done, 6 minutes.
  • Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Place half of the reserved dough on a floured board and roll it out thin.
  • Cut into 4-inch circles.
  • Gather the scraps and re-roll.
  • Put 1 tablespoon of the filling on each circle and fold in half.
  • Moisten the edges with water and crimp with a fork or fingers to seal.
  • Place on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Brush the tops with beaten egg white and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  • Cool on a rack.
  • Repeat rolling, filling, and baking with the remaining half of the dough.
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Course; Pork
Cuisine; Mexican

Breaded Veal Cutlet

Breaded Veal Cutlet

Milanesa
Milanesa is an Italian import that's been widely adopted in Mexico and is so popular that it's listed on many restaurant menus throughout the country. The meat will probably be beef steak pounded thin, but veal works well here. Lime is squeezed over the meat and it is served with refried beans, salsa, guacamole, and spicy pickled jalapeños. Milanesa is also a favorite filling for tortas (Breaded Veal Sandwiches).
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Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground pepper or to taste
  • ½ cup fine bread crumbs
  • 4 thin veal steaks or baby beef, pounded thin (¼ inch)
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 1 lime quartered
  • Basic Refried Beans or purchased refried beans
  • Classic Guacamole
  • Fresh Salsa Mexicana or purchased salsa
  • 4 jarred pickled jalapeño chiles en escabeche, seeded and thinly sliced

Instructions

  • In a shallow soup plate, beat the egg very well.
  • In a second soup plate mix the flour, salt, and pepper.
  • Put the bread crumbs in a third soup plate.
  • Line up the bowls in this order: flour, egg, and crumbs.
  • In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil to a depth of about ¼ inch.
  • Dust the meat lightly with flour, dip into the beaten egg, and coat with bread crumbs.
  • Put the coated meat on a plate lined with wax paper and refrigerate about 1 hour.
  • Fry the meat until brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
  • Squeeze lime juice over each piece of meat.
  • Serve on individual plates with beans, guacamole, salsa, and pickled jalapeños.
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Course; Sandwiches / Veal
Cuisine; Mexican

Breaded Veal Sandwiches

Breaded Veal Sandwiches

Cemitas Milanesa
This sandwich with the Italian name is most common in northern Mexico, but is on menus all over the country. Cemitas are sesame-seed rolls from the state of Puebla. The hearty version stuffed with thin fried breaded veal (or beef), avocado, cheese, and more, was my favorite. Use a good-quality large, round sesame seed roll for the bread.
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Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

  • 2 pieces cooked Milanesa (Breaded Veal Cutlet)
  • 2 round sesame seed rolls
  • Olive oil
  • 8 thin strips Oaxaca cheese or other white melting cheese
  • ½ avocado thinly sliced
  • 2 jarred pickled jalapeño chiles en escabeche, seeded and cut into thin strips
  • ½ cup shredded lettuce

Instructions

  • Prepare half the Milanesa recipe.
  • Keep the meat warm in a 200° oven.
  • Then, heat a griddle, comal, or nonstick skillet over medium heat.
  • Cut the rolls in half and brush the cut sides with olive oil.
  • Place the rolls cut side down, on the hot griddle.
  • Heat about 1 minute.
  • Lay the bottom roll halves on a flat surface.
  • Top each with 1 piece of meat, cheese, avocado slices, jalapeño strips, and shredded lettuce.
  • Drizzle the lettuce with a little more olive oil.
  • Close the sandwiches and serve.
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Course; Sandwiches / Veal
Cuisine; Mexican

Poblano Chile, Beans, and Cheese Sandwiches

Poblano Chile, Beans, and Cheese Sandwiches

Tortas de Barrio
After a long drive through the high desert of north-central Mexico—broken occasionally by agricultural fields and surprisingly, some vineyards—my husband and I were hungry when we reached Zacatecas, a colonial gem. Right away, we set out on foot along steep cobblestone streets and found this simple but scrumptious torta in one of the taquerias on our route. I've streamlined the process to make this torta, but all the filling ingredients are the same.
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Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

  • 1 poblano chile roasted, peeled, seeded, and veins removed
  • 2 oval Mexican sandwich rolls bolillos or other sandwich rolls, split lengthwise
  • 2 teaspoons unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup heated refried beans canned or homemade
  • ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Red salsa purchased or homemade

Instructions

  • Prepare the chile.
  • Then, remove the stem from the chile, and cut in half lengthwise.
  • Set aside.
  • Remove some of the soft inside from the bottom half of each roll to create a hollow.
  • Spread all 4 halves with butter.
  • Heat a large dry nonstick skillet and warm the rolls, cut side down until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
  • Layer each roll bottom with ½ of the warm beans, ½ of the cheese, 1 tablespoon of salsa, and ½ of the roasted chile.
  • Cover with the roll tops.
  • Serve at once with more salsa on the side, if desired.
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Course; Sandwiches
Cuisine; Mexican

Bacon, Onion, and Tomato Sandwiches

Bacon, Onion, and Tomato Sandwiches

Tortas de Tocino, Cebolla, y Tomate
This torta (sandwich) can be made on a French roll, which is most like the native bolillo that's used for Mexican sandwiches. The bacon, onion, and tomato filling is good any time, but it's especially appropriate for brunch. For an authentic touch, serve the tortas with some pickled jalapeños on the side.
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Equipment

  • nonstick skillet

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

  • 16 bacon slices
  • 1 medium white onion thinly sliced
  • 4 oval Mexican sandwich rolls bolillos or other sandwich rolls, split lengthwise
  • 4 teaspoons Mexican crema sour cream, or mayonnaise
  • 2 medium tomatoes thinly sliced
  • ½ cup finely shredded lettuce any kind
  • 4 teaspoons prepared salsa

Instructions

  • In a nonstick skillet, cook the bacon until brown and crisp.
  • Drain on paper towels.
  • Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the skillet.
  • Cook the onion in the skillet, stirring frequently, until it softens and begins to brown, about 4 minutes.
  • Remove the onion to a plate.
  • Spread 1 teaspoon of crema on the bottom half of each roll.
  • Put 4 slices of bacon on each roll; then layer with ¼ of the onion, tomato, and lettuce.
  • Spoon 1 teaspoon salsa on top of each roll, and cover each torta with the top half of the roll.
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Course; Bacon / Sandwiches
Cuisine; Mexican

Shrimp and Avocado Sandwiches

Shrimp and Avocado Sandwiches

Tortas de Camarones
Small precooked shrimp from the fish market mixed with avocado and mayonnaise fill this terrific Mexican torta (sandwich on a roll), that's easy to make. Serve with chips and salsa on the side.
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Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

  • 4 oval Mexican sandwich rolls bolillos or other sandwich rolls, split lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter at room temperature
  • ½ pound 14 to 16 small cooked shrimp
  • 1 large avocado Hass variety preferred, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 green onion finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 medium tomatoes thinly sliced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup finely shredded lettuce

Instructions

  • Butter each half of the rolls and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp, avocado, mayonnaise, onion, and cilantro.
  • Divide the shrimp mixture equally on the bottom half of each roll.
  • Top with sliced tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle lightly with salt.
  • Add lettuce, if desired.
  • Close the sandwiches with the roll tops.
  • Serve.
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Course; Fish / Sandwiches
Cuisine; Mexican

Tuna and Jalapeño Sandwiches

Tuna and Jalapeño Sandwiches

Tortas de Atún
A tuna sandwich, Mexican style, includes the zesty taste of pickled jalapeño chiles (jalapeños en escabeche). Serve tuna tortas with crisp corn tortilla chips.
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Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

  • 1 can solid white tuna drained
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise plus extra to spread on the rolls
  • 2 jarred pickled jalapeño chiles en escabeche, seeded and finely chopped
  • 4 oval Mexican sandwich rolls bolillos or other sandwich rolls, split lengthwise
  • 1 cup finely shredded lettuce
  • 2 medium tomatoes thinly sliced

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix the tuna, 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise, and the chopped jalapeños.
  • Lay the rolls on a flat surface and spread each cut side with mayonnaise.
  • Spread the tuna equally on half of each roll.
  • Top equally with lettuce and tomato.
  • Put on the roll tops.
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Course; Fish / Sandwiches
Cuisine; Mexican

Cuban Sandwiches

Cuban Sandwiches

Tortas Cubana
When searching for a torta (sandwich on a roll) in Oaxaca, we were advised to go straight to the Del Jardin Restaurant at the zócalo (main plaza), sit at one of the outdoor tables, and order the torta cubana and a cold beer. It's a Mexican experience, regardless of the torta's origin. To make these great sandwiches, use soft oval Mexican rolls called bolillos or French rolls for the bread. Serve with a small bowl of pickled carrots and jalapeños, which are packed in jars and are widely available in supermarkets.
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Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

  • 4 oval Mexican sandwich rolls bolillos or other sandwich rolls, split lengthwise
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
  • ¼ pound thinly sliced deli-style baked ham
  • ½ pound thinly sliced deli-roasted pork
  • 1 large avocado Hass variety preferred, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium tomato thinly sliced

Instructions

  • Lay the rolls on a flat surface, cut side up.
  • Remove a small amount of the soft center from each roll, making a shallow cavity.
  • Spread one half of each roll with mustard, and the other half with mayonnaise.
  • Layer the roll bottoms equally with the ham, pork, avocado and tomato.
  • Put on the roll tops and serve.
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Course; Sandwiches
Cuisine; Cuban / Mexican

Grilled Lamb Sandwiches

Grilled Lamb Sandwiches

Tortas de Cordero
Lamb steaks cut from the leg and thinly sliced, then briefly barbecued, grilled, or pan-fried, make absolutely delicious tortas. Grilled green onions, avocado, shredded lettuce, and mayonnaise complete the sandwich. Salsa is served on the side. (Ask the butcher to cut meat from the leg into thin steaks.) These tortas are terrific for a summer party. Serve with beans, Cactus Salad, and Mexican Potato Salad for a fine meal.
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Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

Instructions

  • Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat a stovetop grill pan.
  • Trim excess fat from the lamb.
  • Mash the garlic, salt, lime juice and oil together and rub all over the meat.
  • Sprinkle with pepper.
  • When it is hot, put the meat and the onions on the greased grill.
  • Cook the meat until brown on the outside and barely pink inside, about 4 minutes total.
  • Transfer to a cutting board.
  • Add the onions to the grill, and cook, turning once or twice, until tender, about 8 minutes total.
  • Transfer to a plate.
  • Chop the lamb into bite-size pieces.
  • To assemble, spread mayonnaise on all the roll halves.
  • Layer the bottom half of each roll with a portion of the meat, 2 green onions, ¼ of the sliced avocado, and shredded lettuce.
  • Put on the roll tops and serve with salsa to be added at the table.
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Course; Lamb / Sandwiches
Cuisine; Mexican