Saucy Carnitas Sandwich Torta Ahogada Recipes

SAUCY CARNITAS SANDWICH (TORTA AHOGADA)

Steps:

• Carnitas: Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork cubes in an even layer, fat-side down, followed by onion, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, and ½ tablespoon salt. Add lard. Squeeze juice from orange wedges into the pot, then add the squeezed orange wedges. Reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 1½ hours, stirring occasionally to make sure the pork cooks evenly.
• Remove and discard the orange peels, big pieces of onion, and bay leaves. Increase heat to medium-high and continue cooking for 1 more hour, stirring more regularly as the fat renders out and the pork begins to look shredded and browned. When pork is fully cooked, taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed. Meanwhile, make the Salsa Ahogada.
• Salsa Ahogada: In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil until hot but not smoking. Add onion, garlic clove, and chiles; cook until onions are translucent, 8-10 minutes. Then add tomatoes, tomato paste, and water (omit if using canned tomatoes). Stir, then simmer until the tomatoes are cooked, 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat a comal or skillet over medium heat. When comal is hot, add peppercorns, cloves, allspice, and chile flakes to the hot comal. Toast for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to distribute the heat and prevent burning. After 30 seconds, remove from heat and add cumin, oregano, and bay leaves to the hot pan; keep stirring. (The residual heat will toast the additional spices.) Set aside to cool for 8-10 minutes. Then finely grind the spices and set aside.
• Ladle the cooked onion-tomato mixture into a blender, along with the ground spices, vinegar, and salt. Blend on medium speed to purée, 10-15 seconds. Place Salsa Ahogada back into the Dutch oven and simmer over low-medium heat for 10 minutes, or until salsa has thickened and reduced by about one-third. Remove and discard any tomato peels that have floated to the top. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as needed. Keep the Salsa Ahogada warm until ready to assemble and serve tortas. Makes about 4 cups. (Note: Salsa Ahogada can be made 1-2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator in a lidded container.)
• Assemble Torta Ahogada: Preheat broiler. Slice baguette/rolls lengthwise and broil, cut-side up, until toasted, 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile, chop or shred Carnitas into small pieces. Spread about ¼ cup of the refried beans on one half of the toasted baguette, then top with about ⅓ of the Carnitas. Add sliced avocado in an even layer. Spread a lighter coat of beans on the other baguette half and place on top to make a sandwich. Slice into thirds and arrange on a rimmed serving plate or flat-bottomed bowl, cut-sides down. "Drown" the sandwich in Salsa Ahogada by ladling it all around and on top; garnish with pickled red onions. Assemble the other sandwiches and serve immediately (with lots of napkins!).

TORTAS AHOGADAS

Steps:

• For the braised pork butt: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, garlic, paprika, mustard, coriander, salt and pepper. Pat the pork dry, then coat it with the rub.
• In a large cast-iron pan, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork until browned on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour in the beer, cover the pan tightly with foil and transfer it to the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Let the pork cool a bit before shredding.
• For the tomato sauce: Soak the chile de arbol for 20 minutes in warm water. Once rehydrated, remove the stems and seeds and roughly chop. Heat the canola in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the chile de arbol, jalapeno, garlic, cumin and oregano and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until fragrant. Add the vinegar, tomatoes and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, stirring often. When done, puree the sauce until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• To assemble the sandwich: Slice the bolillos in half, leaving them hinged at one end. Brush the insides with olive oil. Place the bolillos cut-side up on a baking sheet; transfer to the oven and toast until crispy, about 5 minutes. Fill each bolillo with some shredded pork, topped with some tomato sauce, shredded cabbage, cilantro, pico de gallo and pickled red onions. Serve.
• In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, jalapeno, lime juice, red onion, cilantro and garlic. Mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper, and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
• Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, the onions and some sea salt, and saute until the onions are just softened, about 5 minutes. Add the bay leaf, cayenne, cinnamon, start anise, honey, red wine vinegar and just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Remove the whole spices and refrigerate until ready to serve.

TORTAS AHOGADAS - MEXICAN SANDWICHES WITH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place all tomato sauce ingredients in a saucepan and cook until the tomatoes and onions are soft.
• Allow to cool, place in blender and puree.
• Strain the puree and set aside.
• Lightly roast the arbol chiles on a dry griddle, just to the point of fragrance. (Do not allow them to char, as this results in a bitter flavor).
• Remove the stem and seeds from the chilies.
• Place the chiles and remaining chili sauce ingredients in a saucepan; cook until the chilies have softened, remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Transfer sauce ingredients to a blender, puree and strain; set aside.
• Cook the meat in water to cover with the onion, garlic, bay leaf, oregano and salt to taste.
• When cooked through, remove from cooking liquid and allow to cool.
• Shred the meat with two forks, or slice thinly if preferred.
• Remove the soft center from the rolls, place on plates, and divide the meat among the rolls.
• Bathe each one with tomato sauce (the tortas are easier to eat if the top half is left "dry")
• Serve torta on a plate with a lip to prevent messy dripping.

TORTA AHOGADA RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the carnitas: Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C).
• In a small bowl, whisk together the salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin.
• Set the pork butt on a rimmed baking sheet and pat try with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture over the pork butt to cover completely.
• Cut the oranges in half and juice. Set the juice aside.
• Spread the orange rinds, garlic, and onion in an even layer on the bottom of a heavy-bottomed pot. Place the pork butt on top and pour the orange juice over. Cover the pot with a lid or 2 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil and cook in the oven until the pork is tender and can be shredded with a fork, about 8 hours.
• Make the tomato salsa: Heat the canola oil in a large pan over medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the tomatoes, onion, and garlic and sauté until the onion begins to caramelize, about 3 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, oregano, and margarine and continue cooking until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer. Continue cooking until the vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend on medium-high speed until completely smooth.
• Pour the salsa back into the pan and cook over medium-low heat until thickened, about 10 minutes. Rinse out the blender basin.
• Make the red onion escabeche: In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, salt, and oregano. Add the onion and toss to coat. Let sit for at least 15 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Make the spicy salsa: In a large pan over medium-high heat, toast the Japones chiles until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove the chiles from the pan and set aside.
• Heat the canola oil in the same pan over medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the tomatoes, onion, and garlic and sauté until the onion begins to caramelize, about 3 minutes. Add the salt and cumin and continue cooking until the tomatoes are tender, about 8 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to the blender. Add the toasted chiles and distilled white vinegar and blend on medium-high speed until smooth.
• Assemble the tortas: Use a fork to shred the carnitas.
• Cut the birotes down the middle, leaving one long side intact, like a hot dog bun. Fill the rolls with carnitas and pour the tomato salsa on top. Serve with the spicy salsa, escabeche, and lime wedges.
• Enjoy!

TORTAS AHOGADAS

Steps:

• For the tomato salsa, boil tomatoes. In a blender, puree with the garlic and water. Add the oregano and salt to taste.
• For the spicy sauce, boil the arbol chiles. In a blender, puree with the garlic, crackers, hot sauce and water. Strain.
• For the onions, add the vinegar, lime juice, and water. Let it marinade for 15 minutes. Season with salt.
• To assemble, cut the bolillos in half. Spread the refried beans on both sides. Add the meat. Pour the tomato sauce over it. Add the desired amount of spicy sauce. Top off with the marinated onions.