Pork Cheddar Torta Food

PORK & CHEDDAR TORTA

Steps:

• Pan-fry pork chops until nicely browned.
• Simmer them, covered, with 1/2 cup water or broth until chops are done and tender, about 10 minutes more.
• While hot, slice pork thinly and place in a plastic zipper bag with the sliced chiles and lime juice.
• Refrigerate until cooled.
• To assemble torta: scoop out a little bread from inside of rolls so they're hollowed slightly.
• Spread the bottom half with refried beans; spread the top with mayo, crema or sour cream.
• Stack sandwich with the lime-marinated pork and chiles, plus tomato slices, lettuce, onions, cilantro, and cheddar cheese.
• Sprinkle liberally with black pepper.

AVOCADO AND BEEF TORTA

Steps:

• Mash the avocado with a fork; stir in lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and red pepper. Set aside.
• Combine cumin, chili powder and remaining salt. Rub seasoning mix over both sides of steak. Grill or broil until done as desired, about 5 minutes on each side for medium.
• Remove meat to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes; cut diagonally in thin slices.
• Cut bread horizontally almost through. Spread avocado on top half; layer greens, beef and tomato on bottom then sprinkle with chopped cilantro (if desired). Close the sandwich and cut crosswise into 4 pieces.

TIJUANA TORTA

Steps:

• Mash beans, salsa, jalapeno and cumin in a small bowl.
• Mash avocado, onion and lime juice in another small bowl.
• Cut baguette into 4 equal lengths.
• Split each piece in half horizontally.
• Pull out most of the soft bread from the center so you're left with mostly crust.
• Divide the bean paste, avocado mixture and cabbage evenly among the sandwiches.
• Cut each in half and serve.

CARNE ADOVADA (MARINATED PORK)

Steps:

• Sprinkle meat with salt.
• Add garlic and oregano to blended chili.
• Pour over meat and marinate in refrigerator 6-8 hours or overnight.
• Cook slowly on top of stove or in 350 oven until meat is done, about 1 hour.
• Thick slices of potatoes may be marinated with the meat.

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.

MARINATED PORK TORTAS WITH CILANTRO AIOLI & CHILES CURTIDOS

Steps:

• Chiles Curtidos (Pickled Vegetables):.
• Combine vinegar, sugar and water in a large pot and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Turn off heat and let pot sit.
• In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium high heat until hot. Add remaining ingredients. Cook until onions are wilted, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to the pot with vinegar mixture and stir well. Let sit until room temperature. Transfer vegetables and liquid to a glass jar with lid. Refrigerate at least 2 days to infuse flavors. Pickles with keep up to 2 months.
• Pork:.
• Place pork in a sealable baggie. Mix together remaining ingredients except for oil, and add to baggie. Seal baggie and shake to coat pork evenly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
• To cook, heat oil in deep skillet over high heat until hot. Add pork and cook, turning, until crisp on all sides and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Place on paper towels and set aside. When ready to assemble sandwiches, slice pork 1/4-inch thick.
• Refried Black Beans:.
• Combine bay leaves, garlic and onion and wrap in cheesecloth, tying ends to make a tight bundle.
• Bring water to boil in large pot. Add salt, beans and cheese cloth bundle. Return to a simmer and cook until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. As beans cook, add more water if needed to keep them submerged. When beans are done, drain and reserve liquids. Discard cheesecloth bundle.
• In large skillet, heat oil until hot. Add garlic and cumin and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add beans and half the reserved bean liquid. Cook, stirring, 1-2 minutes. Transfer beans to a food processor and puree until smooth. Season with salt to taste. Add more bean liquid as needed for a thick, spreadable consistency.
• Cilantro Aioli:.
• Place mayonnaise, garlic, mustard, lemon juice, and half the cilantro in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. With motor running, slowly add oil. The mixture should be smooth. Add cold water as needed for spreadable consistency and to brighten the color. Add salt and lime juice and pulse briefly. Transfer to a bowl and stir in zest and remaining cilantro.
• Sandwich Assembly:.
• Heat a skillet or griddle until hot. Butter rolls and place in skillet to toast until golden. Spread both halves of rolls with cilantro aioli. Onto bottom halves, layer black beans, pork, chiles curtidos, avocado, queso fresco, tomato and lettuce. Add top half of roll and serve.

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.