Pork Tortas Sandwiches Recipes

BRAISED PORK SANDWICH WITH SPICY TOMATO BROTH (TORTAS AHOGADAS)

Steps:

• In a large, heavy skillet, heat the vegetable shortening over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the pork all over with salt and pepper. Sear the meat on all sides until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side.
• Carefully add 3 cups water, the garlic, peppercorns, bay leaf and onion. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the meat is tender, about 25 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook until the liquid completely evaporates and the pork meat is browned, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, warm the refried beans in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat.
• Transfer the meat to a cutting board. Discard the garlic, peppercorns, bay leaf and onion. Thinly slice the pieces of pork.
• Cut each bolillo in half lengthwise, spread 2 tablespoons of refried beans on each bottom half and top with 1/4 cup pork. Put the other bolillo half on top. Serve in shallow bowls and drench each torta with the warm Spicy Tomato Broth.
• Combine the tomatoes, garlic, onions, oregano and chile in a blender and process until smooth.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Transfer the tomato mixture to medium, heavy saucepan and add the chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until bright red, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

ACHIOTE PORK TORTA - (SANDWICHES)

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, vinegar, juices, salt, and cumin. Pulse until well combined. Crumble in the achiote and pulse to combine into a very soft paste; add more vinegar by the tablespoon to loosen it up if necessary. Blend in the cilantro.
• Cut the meat into lenghtwise slices 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Lay the meat between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of 1/4 inch. Coat the slices generously with the paste and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and no more than 12 hours.
• Half an hour before cooking, clrean the grill thoroughly with a brush and wipe it down with an oil-dampened rag. Preheat the grill on high.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and shake off as much of the paste as possible. Place the meat on the grill, close the lid, and grill for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, checking often to make sure the meat doesn't burn or cook too quickly; if it does, move it to a cooler part of the grill. The meat is done perfectly when it has an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Do not overcook or the meat will dry out. (I used my George Foreman grill and just made sure to wipe it with a paper towel between batches) Set the meat aside, loosely covered with foil.
• To serve, split the rolls and toast on the grill, then layer from the bottom up: cheese, meat, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, onion, jalapenos, and salsa. Skewer with a couple of toothpicks and cut in half.

JOSE'S TORTA AHOGADA (SPICY PORK SANDWICH)

Steps:

• For the spicy sauce: Cook the chiles in boiling water until tender, about 20 minutes. Put in the blender with a little of the cooking water and the vinegar and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
• For the sweet sauce: Using a blender, blend the vinegar, sugar, tomatoes and garlic. Pour into a saucepan and cook until thick, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• For the pork tenderloin: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C. Place the pork in a bowl, add the paprikas and cayenne and mix well.
• Heat the oil in a pan over high heat. Add the pork and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Put the pan in the oven until a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the tenderloin reads 122 degrees F/50 degrees C for medium, about 15 minutes. Place the pork on a plate and cover with aluminum foil. Let rest for 10 minutes and slice.
• Place the meat and onions on the rolls. Dip the sandwiches in the spicy sauce and add a ladle of the sweet sauce. Squeeze some lime juice over top.

PORK TORTAS (SANDWICHES)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Roast pork until the internal temperature as measured with an instant-read thermometer reaches 150 degrees F., about 30 minutes. Remove pork from the oven and allow to rest for about 10 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board and carve into very thin slices.
• Use your fingers to hollow out the bottom half of the bread. Spread 1/3 cup of beans in the hollow of each half. Arrange 3 to 4 pork slices over the beans; layer on the pickled jalapenos, tomatoes and cilantro. Spread mayonnaise on the top half of the bread and place on top to make a sandwich.
• Serve immediately.