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Torta de jamón (Mexican ham sandwich)
Toasted bolillo roll with refried beans, ham, cheese, avocado and tomato
The torta de jamón is the classic recreo (school break) sandwich across Mexico, sold at school gates and made at home before the morning rush: a crusty bolillo roll, toasted on the griddle, spread with refried beans, then layered with ham, fresh cheese, avocado and tomato. Grown-ups add pickled jalapeños. It contains gluten (wheat), milk and egg (mayonnaise). Chef's tip: spread the beans right to the edges of the bottom half; they act as a barrier so tomato juice doesn't soak the bread.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 4 bolillo or telera rollsor crusty white rolls
- 7 oz refried beans
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 7 oz cooked ham8 slices
- 4 oz queso fresco or mild white cheesesliced
- 1 ripe avocadosliced
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1 tomatosliced
- 1 handful shredded lettuce
- 1 tbsp pickled jalapeño slices (optional)for adults
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Split 4 bolillo or telera rolls and pull out a little of the soft crumb from the top halves so the filling fits. Toast cut side down in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for 2 minutes, until golden.
3 minStep 2: Warm 7 oz refried beans in a small pan or the microwave until soft and spreadable. Spread them thickly over the bottom halves, right to the edges. Skipping this barrier is the common mistake that leaves a soggy torta.
2 minStep 3: Spread 2 tbsp mayonnaise on the top halves. Layer 7 oz cooked ham, 4 oz queso fresco or mild white cheese, 1 tomato and 1 handful shredded lettuce on the beans.
Step 4: Toss 1 ripe avocado with 1 tsp lime juice so it doesn't brown, lay it on top, add 1 tbsp pickled jalapeño slices for adults and close the rolls, pressing down.
Step 5: Cut in half to serve. For school, wrap tightly in paper or foil and pack with an ice pack; eat within 5 hours.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 26 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 24 g
- Fibre
- 8 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does torta de jamón (Mexican ham sandwich) take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of ripe avocado?
- Mashed peas with lemon juice (for dips).
- What can I use instead of lime juice?
- Lemon juice, same amount.
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