Mediterranean Torta Recipes

TORTAS

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and pan-fry the round steaks 5 minutes on each side, or to desired doneness.
• Slice the rolls lengthwise. Spread about 1 tablespoon of sour cream onto one side of each roll, and top with about 1/3 cup of mashed pinto beans per sandwich. Place a cooked round steak per sandwich on top of the pinto beans, and then layer each sandwich with one-fourth of the avocado slices, tomato slices, and sliced pickled jalapenos, about 1/2 cup of shredded lettuce, 1/4 cup of cilantro, and 1/4 cup of crumbled queso fresco cheese. Squeeze a lime wedge over each sandwich, close, and serve.

MEXICAN STEAK TORTA

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate. Season steak with garlic salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
• Grill steak on the preheated grill until medium-rare, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat to a cutting board and cover with foil.
• Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread both halves of each roll with mayonnaise. Brown the rolls, mayonnaise-side down until golden, about 3 minutes. Warm the refried bean in a bowl in the microwave, about 1 minute on High, and slice the sirloin steak into thin strips.
• Spread a thin layer of beans on the bottom half of each roll, layer with steak, avocado, tomato, and lettuce. Top with cheese, if desired, and close the sandwich with the top of the roll.

MEDITERRANEAN LAYERED TORTE

Steps:

• Place cream cheese and feta cheese in food processor. Cover and process until blended. Divide into thirds (about 1 cup each).
• Line 5-cup mold or loaf pan, 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 inches, with plastic wrap. Spoon one-third of the cheese mixture in bottom of mold; smooth top with spatula. Spoon tomatoes evenly over cheese layer. Spoon hummus evenly over tomatoes. Sprinkle with cucumber.
• Spoon one-third of the cheese mixture over cucumber; smooth top with spatula. Spoon olives evenly over cheese layer. Spoon remaining cheese mixture over olives; smooth top with spatula. Strike filled mold on counter to pack down. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours but no longer than 48 hours.
• When ready to serve, turn mold upside down onto serving platter. Remove plastic wrap. Serve torte with pita wedges.

MEDITERRANEAN LAYERED TORTE

Steps:

• Place cream cheese and feta cheese in food processor; cover and process until blended. Divide into thirds (about 1 cup each).
• Line a 5 cup mold or a 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 loaf pan with plastic wrap. Spoon 1/3 of the cream cheese mixture in bottom of mold. Smooth top with spatula. Spread tomatoes over cheese layer. Spoon hummus over tomatoes; then sprinkle cucumbers over hummus.
• Spoon another cup of cheese mixture over cucumbers; smooth out. Spoon olives evenly over cheese layer. Spoon remaining cheese mixture over the olives; smooth out. Bang filled mold on counter to pack down the torte.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours, but no more than 48 hours.
• When ready to serve, turn mold upside down on serving platter. Remove plastic wrap and serve torte with your choice of breads, or crackers.

BREAKFAST TORTA WITH JAM (ITALY)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Line a 9 inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
• In a mixing bowl, add your flour, sugar and a pinch of salt.
• Create a hole in the center of the flour mixture and crack your eggs into the open space.
• Rinse a single lemon (Thea buys Organic!) and zest over the flour mixture.
• Over the stove, heat butter until melted. Once the butter has melted, mix into your dough.
• Work the dough with your hands to mix all the ingredients. "If the pastry is too soft - add flour. If it's too hard - add another egg."
• Cover the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper and then half the dough, saving the other half of the dough for the top of the pastry. "I use the same pastry for apple pie... obviously you have to put apples."
• Cover the bottom of the pastry with the desired amount of jam. Cover with crumbles of the leftover dough.
• Bake for 25 minutes - the pastry will begin to brown and "it must have a smell" (a delicious smell at that).
• Let the pastry cool and harden.
• Enjoy!

MEDITERRANEAN TORTA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350. Coat 8 or 9 inch springform pan with vegetable cooking spray. Place 1 tortilla in bottom of pan. Spread tortilla with 3 tablespoons spinach. Top with about 2 tablespoons of each: Feta, Roasted peppers, tomato, French Fried Onion rings and 2 teaspoons of olives.
• 2. Repeat to make 3 more layers. Place remaining tortilla on top; coat with vegetable cooking spray. Bake 25 minutes or until heated through.
• 3. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining onions; bake 5 minutes or until onions are golden. Cut into wedges to serve.
• Makes 8 appetizers or 4 main dish servings.

TORTA MILANESA

Steps:

• Sprinkle the cutlets with salt and pepper all over. Put the flour on a plate and season with salt and pepper. Put the breadcrumbs in a second plate and the beaten eggs in a shallow bowl. Dip the cutlets into the flour, then the eggs and finally into the breadcrumbs, pressing down on both sides so that the breadcrumbs adhere to the meat.
• Heat enough oil in a large skillet to come 1/3-inch up the sides of pan until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. Working in two batches, pan-fry the cutlets until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to some paper towels to drain.
• To assemble the sandwiches, halve the rolls horizontally. Pull out the soft center of the bread slices and discard. Place the cutlets on the bottom halves of the rolls and top with mayonnaise if using, the lettuce, tomato, avocado, onion and jalapeno. Arrange the sandwiches on serving plates and garnish with lime wedges.